Who is Henry Clay Work

Henry Clay Work (October 1, 1832 – June 8, 1884) was an American composer and songwriter known for the songs Kingdom Coming, Marching Through Georgia, The Ship That Never Returned and My Grandfather's Clock.

Early life and education

Work was born in Middletown, Connecticut, to Alanson and Aurelia (née Forbes) Work. His father opposed slavery, and Work was himself an active abolitionist and Union supporter. His family's home became a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting runaway slaves to freedom in Canada, for which his father was once imprisoned.

Work was self-taught in music. By the time he was 23, he worked as a printer in Chicago, specializing in setting musical type. He allegedly composed in his head as he worked, without a piano, using the n...
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Henry Clay Work Poems

  • The First Love Dream
    Last night, mother, he told me so,
    As we walked by the pebbly stream;
    And I wake so happy--so wild with joy,
    It seems like a fairy dream. ...
  • Where's My Billy Goat Gone To?
    'Twas a birthday gift Miss Posie had
    When she was nine, and twenty:
    Not of gold -- Oh, no! -- nor gem, nor pearl,
    Tho' he who gave had plenty. ...
  • Little Major
    At his post, the "Little Major"
    Dropp'd his drum, that battle-day;
    On the grass, all stain'd with crimson,
    Through that battle-night he lay-- ...
  • No Letters From Home!
    A stranger lies ill, in a distant city,
    With no - - letters from home!
    The glances that meet him, in lieu of pity,
    Are querring, "Why does he roam?" ...
  • Crossing The Grand Sierras
    All aboard! all aboard!
    The hissing breath of the iron steed
    Proclaims his wish to be quickly freed;
    And soon as the stroke from the bell we hear, ...
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Top 10 most used topics by Henry Clay Work

Home 24 Long 23 Heart 21 Hear 20 Night 19 I Love You 18 Love 18 Never 18 Away 17 Sweet 16


Henry Clay Work Quotes

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Comments about Henry Clay Work

Davidl06482809: just because you won an election doesn't mean you have a mandate to go nuclear. sadly, the "yishai fleisher" camp in israel lack the political skills of a dan o'connell, the love of country of henry clay , and the ability to work across the aisle displayed by lyndon johnson.
Pdsongbot: my grandfather's clock music: henry clay work, 1876 lyrics: henry clay work, 1876
Pdsongbot: my grandfather's clock music: henry clay work, 1876 lyrics: henry clay work, 1876
Pdsongbot: my grandfather's clock music: henry clay work, 1876 lyrics: henry clay work, 1876
Pdsongbot: my grandfather's clock music: henry clay work, 1876 lyrics: henry clay work, 1876
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Poem of the day

Edgar Albert Guest Poem
The Killing Place
 by Edgar Albert Guest

We're hiking along at a two-forty pace
We 're making life seem like a man-killing race,
With our nerves all on edge and our jaws firmly set
We go rushing along; with our brows lined with sweat
And our cheeks pale and drawn every minute we dash,
And the goal that we 're after is merely more cash.

We 're out for the money, the greenbacks and gold,
...

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