After the Ball. Many the heart is aching...1892 Tear Jerker visit me....mrfrank.net

[born2Bsquare]

I know the original version of this song and this video is certainly not it!

[petrox41musica]

This wonderful song, really, is not simply sad ! It's a real a heart-breaker, if you get aware of the other words, which are not sung here. In fact there are THREE first parts ( here only one is sung ), you will realize what I mean.

I love it , even if it gets tears from the eyes !!!

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Thanks so much for posting this. As many of you know, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II tried and tried to write the "perfect" song for a dramatic moment in their legendary musical Show Boat. They chose instead "After the Ball" because they both knew that they couldn't top it. Barbara Cook sings it to such perfection that comparing her to other musical theater sopranos is pointless. Hers isn't just a 'pretty voice' -- just listen to that emotion and throb in it. One of a kind.

[flylooper]

Wow! I never head Barbara Cook sing this song! That woman had a hell of a pipe, for sure. I have an original cast recording of her in "Candide" and I was blown away by her voice. This is a great old chestnut of a song and she gives it great life.

[BadAcidVacation]

Oh man 1892 Charles harris hit made famous by Jerome Kern's 1927 play Showboat whoich took place over 47 years on a riverboat called the cottonblossom? No way!

[56BIGM]

beautifully done!!!!!!!!!!!! showcases the refinement -- tastes-- of america before and just after the turn of the last century. america in it's ascendancy.--- thanks so much for sharing. -----shades of victor herbert--again and again, many thanks

[MadameLil]

I also first heard this song as a child, also thanks to my grandparents. It must've been something to hear when it was one of the official hit tunes of the 1892/93 Chicago Columbian Exposition.

This number should never ever be forgotten. This is one of the best examples of a simple jealous mistake leading to a tragic conclusion.

[MystMoonstruck]

I'm sitting here weeping as I listen, the third time it's made me cry in 24 hours. I watched "Show Boat" the other night, and shed tears over this. I thought it was the scene, then I recalled my maternal grandfather singing this throughout our childhood. Then, I watched the scene on YouTube awhile ago and wept again. I decided to listen to this, too. I now think it's a mixture of old memories and the melancholy song. Odd that they called that era The Gay Nineties when they loved such sad songs.

[thefabulousmark]

What a marvelous version-My grandmother used to sing it when I was a child-last week was the 122nd anniversary of her birth-Thanks for the posting!

[samarian100]

Well, I haven't had the pleasure of listening to the exquisite voice of Barbara Cook before, but, humbly,her voice is comparable to Maureen Hegarty's "The Isle of Innisfree"-lovely voices.

[Corinthian44]

A wonderful rendition of this firm favourite of mine. A beautiful voice with clear diction. It might be a cliche, but they don't write them like that any more; more's the pity. Thank you to whoever is responsible for the posting.

[erzbet07]

I heard this rendition by Barbara Cook on the radio many years ago and adored it. What a beautiful voice, what diction! You can cut the nostalgia with a knife and I love it. I also love that the intro lyrics are sung too..many people are only familiar with the chorus. Such a lovely, wistful melody. One of my very favorites. Thanks for posting!!

[Kate0603]

This is so beautiful! A lovely, melodic, and sentimental waltz.

[teamsnowboards1]

wow she can hit 8 high c's in 1 song

[mvnkct]

My grandmother's favorite. She told me wonderful tales of her youth during the early years of the 20th Century. She was born in 1883. She told me you could hear this song on player pianos when you passed many saloons in Philadelphia and also from private homes on phonographs during the summer months. Also "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." I loved hearing her talk about her life before she married in 1910.

[1cathill]

This is a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song.

[skullyj2002]

Barbara Cook sang this in "Show Boat" She recorded it twice on cast albums in the early 60's.

[dougd1015]

Erg, that recording is far to clear; this was obviously recorded at a much later date.

[drigin1234]

Best selling hit of the 1890s (music sheets) Written by Charles kassel Harris An American, but such a popular tune here on the British Halls.

The song almost personifies British Music Hall

I have a recording by Gerald Adams of 1930, he was not too well known as a Tenor, sang occasionally with the Bands but was a ballad singer really .

[StuartLou]

LOVE IT. Thanks

[jewelz617]

I've been trying to find the Showboat clip featuring this song, but this version is wonderful as well.

[Tzoistzo]

Songs that will live forever!

[smmp123]

Wonderful! Thanks.

[opelske]

Absolutely beautiful song and wonderful combination of video and music. I wish we would go back to celebrating all that was beautiful in the world!

[antod11]

This is gorgeous.

[amoobrasil]

Has our world become so callous and materialistic that too many cannot feel the depth of penetrating, soulful beauty in such a wonderful creation?

[MissRedKat]

Oh my.

[amiedetherese]

Good job on combining the images with the music!

[NerdyDonaldFan]

What a voice! :)

[bearcub410]

what a lovely song and her voice is beautiful , thanks

[BronxBornBroad]

Lovely! So sweet and sad!

[millora]

Barbara Cook is singing "After the Ball".

[SullivanNiall]

This is a bit out of left field for Barbara Cook, but no less of a pleasure for all that. Maybe it is in tune with her most famous stage role when she created the part of Marian in "The Music Man" (later played by Shirley Jones in the film version).

[Chicagobookbabe]

Thanks! I've been looking for an apprpriate video of this song. Great!