A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Russell, Henry

by John Hunter Davie

RUSSELL, HENRY, was born at Sheerness on Dec. 24, 1813; went to Bologna, in 1825, to study music, to New York in 1833, returning to England in 1840, when he commenced travelling as a vocalist and composer. In his particular styles he has had no rival. His songs 'I'm afloat,' 'A life on the ocean wave,' 'Cheer, boys, cheer' (the only air played by the regimental drum and fife band when a regiment goes abroad), 'Woodman, spare that tree,' etc., are still familiar, and some of his dramatic songs, as 'The Dream of the Reveller,' 'The Maniac,' 'The Gambler's Wife,' etc., were immensely popular in their day. It may certainly be said that over 800 songs have either been written or composed by him. Fifty years ago (when Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand were almost unknown), Henry Russell was instrumental, through the Canadian government, in sending over thousands of poor people who are now wealthy. A memoir was published in 1846, and two volumes of copyright songs in 1860; 'L'amico dei cantanti,' a treatise on the art of singing. His last composition is a song 'Our Empress Queen,' written in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee.

[ J. H. D. ]