[Printed Georgian pamphlet of song lyrics, not in ESTC.] The Gentleman's Concert. Being A Choice Collection of Favourite Songs. Containing, [twenty numbered song titles, including '15. I am a poor black, it is true.'

Author: 
[Georgian song book; Cluer Dicey & Co., London publishers; 'George Seghious'; 'The Black's Lamentation'; slavery]
Publication details: 
Publication details and date not give. [London: Cluer Dicey & Co. 1770s?]
£280.00
SKU: 11916

The full drophead title, beneath a headpiece of three lions in folliage, reads: The Gentleman's CONCERT. | BEING | A Choice Collection of Favourite SONGS. | Containing, | [following 10 lines in left-hand of two columns] 1. Where's my swain so blyth and clever | 2. To an arbour of woodbines. | 3. The flame of love sincere I felt. | 4. When all the Attic fire was fled. | 5. Cupid, god of pleasing anguish. | 6. As I walk'd forth, &c. | 7. O give me leave to love you dearly. | 8. When Fanny I saw as she trip'd, [sic] &c | 9. Bumpers 'Squire Jones. | 10. Sweet Annie. | [following 10 lines in right-hand of two columns] 11. With the Sun have the Lads &c. | 12. Ye Swains that are courting, &c. | 13. Come from the temple. | 14. The Answer. | 15. I nm [sic] a poor black, it is true. | 16. I like the fox shall grieve. | 17. O my charming Molly. | 18. How little do the landmen know. | 19. When I find my sweet Molly alone. | 20. Away, away! we've crown'd &c' 8pp., 12mo. Unbound. Two bifoliums, attached to one another along the gutters with glue. On aged laid paper, with wear to margins, and loss of a few initial words to p.7 from gluing. P.7 carries 'The Black's Lamentation', opening: 'Am a poor Black, it is true. | Love does invade me, first published in the 1740s'. This version consists of eight eight-line stanzas, sung by a black man in 'New Bedlam' to the object of his affection, omitting the woman's racist response to 'George Seghious'. Scarce: no copy on COPAC or WorldCat, and not in ESTC, but see T40734, said to have been probably published in the 1770s by Cluer Dicey & Co. That item carries the same title, with the omission of the word 'Favourite', and with nineteen different songs. It is 8pp., 8vo, and has the publication details ''Printed and sold in Aldermary Church Yrrd [sic], Bow-Lane, London,'