AustLit
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Adaptations
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The Absent-Minded Beggar
Kate Howarde
(composer),
1900
single work
lyric/song
Howarde's musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's (q.v.) poem into song was possibly first performed in January 1900, almost a year before Arthur Sullivan's more famous version. When she performed it again in Brisbane later the same year, it was advertised thus: 'Come and hear the latest version of "The Absent-minded Beggar." Written and sung by Miss Kate Howarde. Was received with the wildest enthusiasm. Monday's Courier' (Brisbane Courier 23 May 1900, p.2).
Notes
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Kipling wrote 'The Absent-Minded Beggar' in 1899 as part of an appeal by London's Daily Mail to raise money for the dependents of British soldiers involved in the Boer War. The poem quickly became a hit throughout much the British Commonwealth, with recitals being given both at music halls and theatres. Sir Arthur Sullivan, who set music to the words the following year, found the irregular meter of the words of this song awkward to set, remarking : 'It puzzled me to compose Gilbert's "I Have a Song to Sing, O," but that was child's play compared to the task of setting Kipling's lines' (Farron, n. pag.). The first public performance of the Sullivan's version was 13 November at London's Alhambra Theatre.
The Sullivan-composed song is known to have been staged in Australia as early as January 1900. In Brisbane, for example, Arthur Crane presented his rendition at the Opera House on 6 January. The Brisbane Courier records that as the music had only arrived from England a few hours before it was'perhaps not surprising that Mr Crane found his task somewhat difficult [though] he may be expected to do much better when he becomes more familiar with the song' (8 January 1900, p3).
The poem's popularity also saw it given a musical setting by other composers and performers. Among the Australian versions were two composed by Kate Howarde (q.v.) and Brisbane organist, Robert Kaye (both performed as early as January 1900).
