Two melodies from Panama with lyrics about fidelity, 1881
words and music by William D. Hendrickson
The composer, Hendrickson was from San Francisco. As a young man he joined the U.S. Navy. When his ship was laid up for some time in Panama, he deserted. There he enlisted in the Panama Army as a drummer boy. Eventually he worked his way back to SF where he was arrested for desertion. An old sweetheart (Miss Jessie Raymond?) was the daughter of a member of Congress. She arranged to get him out of trouble. After his release he recalled two airs which he had heard while in the Panama Army. The first is a schottische and serves as a long introduction. The second he put lyrics to in order to honor the young lady why had helped him out. Folks used to have fun singing this and the song Solomon Levi at the same time. They have the same chord progression.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- A Spanish Cavalier stood in his retreat
And on his guitar played a tune, dear
The music so sweet, they’d oft-times repeat
The blessing of my country and you, dear
Chorus
Say, darling, say, when I’m far away
Sometimes you may think of me, dear
Bright sunny days will soon fade away
Remember what I say and be true, dear
- I am off to the war, to the war I must go
To fight for my country and you, dear
But if I should fall, in vain I would call
The blessing of my country and you, dear - And when the war is o’er, to you I’ll return
Back to my country and you, dear
But if I be slain, you may seek me in vain
Upon the battle field you will find me
Sung here by Fred Feild: