“Here’s to the Maiden”
‘By Jinks! I feel like celebrating. Bring me my fiddle, Half-Pint, and we’ll have a little music without the organ.’ — These Happy Golden Years, Chapter 18, “The Perry School”
The words to “Here’s to the Maiden” were written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan as part of his well-known play “School for Scandal” published in 1780. It was a song occuring in Act III, scene iii. Richard Brinsley Sheriday (1751-1816) was a statesman and dramatist, born in Dublin, Ireland. He was educated for the bar, but his success at writing led him to the theater. He managed Drury Lane Theater in London, but often found himself in financial trouble. “School for Scandal” has been considered second only to the comedies of Shakespeare in brilliance.
Sheridan entered Parliament in 1780 and for over thirty years he was active in politics, holding offices in Cabinet, he was regarded as a brilliant orator. He spoke vehemently against war with the American colonies. Sheridan died in 1816 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.
Music to “Here’s to the Maiden” is believed to have been written by Thomas Linley, Sr., Richard Sheridan’s father-in-law and partner in ownership of the Drury Lane Theater. Thomas Linley, Sr. (1733-1795) was an English composor and harpsichordist. He composed and arranged operas, pantomimes, and incidental music for London theaters.
“Here’s to the Maiden” was included in the existing manuscript for These Happy Golden Years, in the same setting as in the published version, sung one evening while Laura was teaching the Perry School. Wilder changed the original lyrics from “Here’s to the maiden of bashful fifteen” to “sixteen” so that Pa was singing about the proper age of fictional Laura Ingalls at the time.
1. Here’s to the maiden of bashful fifteen;
Here’s to the widow of fifty;
Here’s to the flaunting extravagant queen,
And here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty.
[chorus] Let the toast pass-
Drink to the lass,
I’ll warrant she’ll prove an excuse for the glass.
2. Here’s to the charmer whose dimples we prize;
Now to the maid who has none, sir:
Here’s to the girl with a pair of blue eyes,
And here’s to the nymph with but one, sir.
3. Here’s to the maid with a bosom of snow;
Now to her that’s as brown as a berry:
Here’s to the wife with her face full of woe,
And now to the damsel that’s merry.
4. For let ’em be clumsy, or let ’em be slim,
Marry, I care not a feather;
So fill a pint bumper quite up to the brim,
And let us e’en toast them together.
(from These Happy Golden Years)
Here’s to the maiden of bashful sixteen,
Here’s to the woman of fifty,
Here’s to the flaunting extravagant queen,
And here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty!
Here’s to the charmer whose dimples we prize,
Now to the maid who has none, sir!
Here’s to the girl with a pair of blue eyes,
And here’s to the nymph with but one, sir!
CLICK HERE to listen.
Click on the above image to view a copy of a song sheet with Civil War lyrics to “Here’s to the Maiden.”
“Here’s to the Maiden” (THGY 18)
“Here’s to the maiden of bashful sixteen”