“’Twas eve and May when last, thro’ tears
Thine eyes sought mine, thy hand my hand…”
Robert, 1st Earl of Lytton, writing as Owen Meredith
May evenings find me humming this lyric of a song written by my great-great-grandfather and the pianist/composer Isidore De Lara. It was a particular thrill to discover this manuscript tucked away amongst papers in the attic as I had no idea we had a songwriter in the family. I have used the piano theme in an Audio Tour of Knebworth House that I have just finished recording for the Knebworth House Gift Shop.
In researching other music associated with the House I have been astonished to find that dozens of songs were written in the 19th Century to lyrics by both Robert Lytton, and his father, Edward Bulwer Lytton. Most surprising so far is a lovely book that arrived this week courtesy of www.abebooks.com, “A Few Lyrics of Owen Meredith Set to Hindu Music” by Sourindro Mohun Tagore, the Founder and President of the Bengal Music School, Calcutta, in 1877 – I hope to be humming these next May when Knebworth House celebrates the 30th Anniversary of its Raj Exhibition.
Martha and I were very happy that so many visited the House, Gardens and Park on our “Parish Open Day”. Julian counted 376 through the gate. We received some very nice comments and notes, and hope to be able to make the “Parish Open Day” an annual event.
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com