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This group of solemn Edwardian gentlemen do not appear to be enjoying their drinks or their al fresco entertainment.
What might they have been listening to? The vacant chair?

American Civil War tune (1861), music by George F. Root, lyric by Henry Washburn. Many recorded examples, such as this one by "Tennessee" Ernie Ford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b6SvTweI0o. Not a Happy Thanksgiving that year.

[quote="epigramophone"]This group of solemn Edwardian gentlemen do not appear to be enjoying their drinks or their al fresco entertainment.
What might they have been listening to? The vacant chair?[/quote

a song for now ? Get it out on Youtube a Mega covid downloader

epigramophone wrote:This group of solemn Edwardian gentlemen do not appear to be enjoying their drinks or their al fresco entertainment.
What might they have been listening to? The vacant chair?

More likely, they were enjoying their drinks and all fresco entertainment until some pest said, "Let's stop to take a photograph for Aunt Mildred."

Here's a link to the Hayden Quartet recording: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-127710/

And another, with John McCormack: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-11644/. McCormack takes a high D in falsetto at the end.

I agree with soundgen: not a joking matter.

Henry wrote:Here's a link to the Hayden Quartet recording: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-127710/

And another, with John McCormack: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-11644/. McCormack takes a high D in falsetto at the end.

I agree with soundgen: not a joking matter.

sorry irony rears it's ugly head ag'in I must stop Get your virus shot ASAP !

soundgen wrote:

Henry wrote:Here's a link to the Hayden Quartet recording: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-127710/

And another, with John McCormack: https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-11644/. McCormack takes a high D in falsetto at the end.

I agree with soundgen: not a joking matter.

sorry irony rears it's ugly head ag'in I must stop Get your virus shot ASAP !

Tempo 78 on Ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133589641077

They could also be listening to "Gloomy Sunday" (the Hungarian Suicide Song). Banned from 1936 until 2002...
"On a sad Sunday with a hundred white flowers, I awaited for you my dear with a church prayer, That dream chasing Sunday morning, The chariot of my sadness returned without you"...
Gloomy is Sunday, with shadows I spend it all
My heart and I have decided to end it all
Soon there’ll be candles and prayers that are sad I know
Let them not weep let them know that I’m glad to go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZj7YW5oFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55FP1LfkkVQ
https://www.historicmysteries.com/gloom ... cide-song/

epigramophone wrote:This group of solemn Edwardian gentlemen do not appear to be enjoying their drinks or their al fresco entertainment.
What might they have been listening to? The vacant chair?

I have sung that for some years at the museum where I work, as part of the Decoration Day ceremonies...

- Bill