My Grandfather's Clock

Last updated

"Grand-Father's Clock" was first published in 1876. GrandFathersClockWorkCover.jpg
"Grand-Father's Clock" was first published in 1876.

"Grandfather's Clock" (popularly known as "My Grandfather's Clock") is a song written in 1876 by Henry Clay Work, the author of "Marching Through Georgia". It is a standard of British brass bands and colliery bands, and is also popular in bluegrass music. The Oxford English Dictionary says the song was the origin of the term "grandfather clock" for a longcase clock. [1] In 1905, the earliest known recording of this song was performed by Harry Macdonough and the Haydn Quartet (known then as the "Edison Quartet").

Contents

Storyline

It was in this Piercebridge hotel that the author encountered a remarkable clock that inspired the song. Cliffe George Hotel 3.jpg
It was in this Piercebridge hotel that the author encountered a remarkable clock that inspired the song.

The song, told from a grandchild's point of view, is about his grandfather's clock.

The clock is purchased on the morning of the grandfather's birth and works perfectly for 90 years, requiring only that it be wound at the end of each week.

The clock seems to know the good and bad events in the grandfather's life; it rings 24 chimes when the grandfather brings his new wife into his home, and near his death it rings an alarm, which the family recognizes to mean that the elderly gentleman is near death and gathers by his bed. After the grandpa dies, the clock suddenly stops, and never works again.

Sequel

Work published a sequel to the song two years after, and again the grandson acts as the narrator. The grandson laments the fate of the no-longer-functioning grandfather clock—it was sold to a junk dealer, who sold its parts for scrap and its case for kindling. In the grandfather's house, the clock was replaced by a wall clock, which the grandson disdains (referring to it as "that vain, stuck-up thing on the wall"). [2] However, the sequel never reached the popularity of the original. [3]

The song was covered and translated many times, versions in other languages may vary. For example, in the Czech version, sung by the country band Taxmeni, the song continues with an additional, joyful strophe, narrating further events in the grandson's life: the birth of his son and the purchase of a new clock on the same day, to maintain the family tradition. [4]

Popularity in Japan

"My Grandfather's Clock" became well known in Japan in 1962 when the NHK children's music program, Minna no uta , broadcast the recording by Tachikawa Sumito. It was accompanied by an animated sequence created by Taniuchi Rokurō  [ ja ]. The song became incorporated into educational settings in Japan ever since. A second version was broadcast on Minna no uta in 1972, which utilized the same recording, but with a new animated sequence by Takeguchi Yoshiyuki  [ ja ]. [5]

Original lyrics

The City Green in Union Park of Middletown, Connecticut includes this bust of the author near his birthplace. HenryClayWorkBust.JPG
The City Green in Union Park of Middletown, Connecticut includes this bust of the author near his birthplace.

My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
It stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy.
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door,
With a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
It stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time, and had but one desire —
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place — not a frown upon its face,
And its hands never hung by its side.
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
It stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

It rang an alarm in the dead of the night —
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight —
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side;
But it stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died.

Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
His life seconds numbering,
(tick, tock, tick, tock),
It stopp'd short — never to go again —
When the old man died. [6] [7]

In media

“My Grandfather’s Clock” has been used in the horror game franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s on multiple occasions for the series’ antagonist “The Marionette” or mainly referred to as “The Puppet” for its music box theme for the franchise’s second game and Ultimate Custom Night. The song was latter dubbed “Puppet Music Box” and was featured in the franchise’s film adaptation. The song is played on the piano in the K-drama Hotel del Luna.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands</i> 1991 fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King

The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands: Redemption, commonly known simply as The Waste Lands, is a dark fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. It is the third book of the Dark Tower series. The original limited edition hardcover featuring full-color illustrations by Ned Dameron was published in 1991 by Grant. The book was reissued in 2003 to coincide with the publication of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla. The book derives its title from the T. S. Eliot 1922 poem The Waste Land, several lines of which are reprinted in the opening pages. In addition, the two main sections of the book are named after lines in the poem. The Waste Lands was nominated for the 1991 Bram Stoker Award for Novel.

Joy Electric is the brand label for a series of electropop/synthpop productions by Ronnie Martin. Martin began producing music under the Joy Electric name in 1994, after the demise of Dance House Children, a band Ronnie was in with his brother Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Starflyer 59 bass player and Velvet Blue Music owner Jeff Cloud joined Joy Electric from 1996 until 2002. Joy Electric is currently a solo act.

A grandfather clock is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock, with the pendulum held inside the tower or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly 1.8–2.4 metres (6–8 feet) tall with an enclosed pendulum and weights, suspended by either cables or chains, which have to be occasionally calibrated to keep the proper time. The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood, which surrounds and frames the dial, or clock face.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Clay Work</span> American composer and songwriter (1832–1884)

Henry Clay Work 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.

<i>Porkys Badtime Story</i> 1937 film

Porky's Badtime Story is a 1937 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Robert Clampett and an uncredited Chuck Jones. The short was released on July 24, 1937, and stars Porky Pig and Gabby Goat. The short was later remade as Tick Tock Tuckered (1944), with Daffy Duck taking Gabby's role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11 O'Clock Tick Tock</span> 1980 single by U2

"11 O'Clock Tick Tock" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It was released as a single on 16 May 1980, and was produced by Martin Hannett. It followed their debut EP Three and the single "Another Day." It was the group's first release for Island Records. The song's lyrics were written by lead vocalist Bono based on his experience at a Cramps concert in London, where he watched a "lifeless, goth-style" crowd from the balcony.

Tick tock, tic toc, Tik Tok and other variants may refer to:

"Ninety Years Without Slumbering" is episode 132 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. The title comes from the lyrics of the song "My Grandfather's Clock", which is sung or played throughout the episode as a recurring motif. As in the song, main character Sam Forstmann believes his life is tied to his clock's ticking.

Tick Tock Tuckered is a 1944 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Bob Clampett. The cartoon was released on April 8, 1944, and stars Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. This is a color remake of the cartoon Porky's Badtime Story (1937), with Daffy filling the role that was previously played by Gabby Goat. A gag from Friz Freleng's cartoon Notes to You (1941) was also reused as well, while a reference to The Dover Boys (1942) is briefly made.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gazpacho (band)</span> Norwegian art rock band

Gazpacho are an art rock band from Norway. The original core of the band consisted of Jan-Henrik Ohme (vocals), Jon-Arne Vilbo (guitar), and Thomas Andersen. They started making music together in 1996, and the band has since expanded with Mikael Krømer, Robert R Johansen (drums), and Kristian Torp (bass).

The industrial band PTP (Programming the PsychoDrill) was a short-lived side project of Wax Trax! Records artists.

<i>Spy Kids: All the Time in the World</i> 2011 film by Robert Rodriguez

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World is a 2011 American spy action comedy film co-produced, written, co-shot, co-composed, and directed by Robert Rodriguez. It is the standalone sequel to Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and the fourth installment in the Spy Kids film series. The film stars Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Rowan Blanchard, Mason Cook, Ricky Gervais, and Jeremy Piven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariya Yaremchuk</span> Ukrainian singer (born 1993)

Mariya Nazarivna Yaremchuk, also transliterated as Maria Yaremchuk, is a Ukrainian singer. Yaremchuk represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 held in Copenhagen, Denmark. She finished 6th in the grand final out of 26 countries.

Early to Bed is a Donald Duck animated short film that was released on July 11, 1941, by RKO Radio Pictures. The film was colored by Technicolor, produced by Walt Disney Productions, and directed by Jack King. The cartoon tells the story of Donald, who is trying to sleep, despite the annoyingly loud ticking of the clock keeping him awake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tick Tock (Clean Bandit and Mabel song)</span> 2020 single by Clean Bandit and Mabel

"Tick Tock" is a song by English electronic music group Clean Bandit and English singer Mabel, featuring American rapper 24kGoldn. It was written by Mabel, 24kGoldn, Kamille, Grace Chatto and Jack Patterson, the latter two of whom also produced the song with Mark Ralph. It was released by Atlantic Records UK on 21 August 2020 as the first single from Clean Bandit's upcoming third studio album. The song is also included as a bonus track on digital and streaming versions of Mabel's debut studio album, High Expectations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">"Scarface" John Williams</span> Musical artist

"Scarface" John Williams was an American R&B singer and Mardi Gras Indian. He performed with the New Orleans band Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Boyle</span> Scottish actor, playwright and novelist

Coinneach Iain "Kenny" Boyle is a Scottish actor, playwright and novelist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tachikawa Sumito</span> Japanese singer and host (1929–1985)

Tachikawa Sumito (立川清登) was a Japanese baritone singer and radio host. At first a singer of opera and lieder, his repertoire later included musicals and popular music. In addition to being a performing musician, he was also a radio host and television personality.

References

  1. ↑ "Oxford English Dictionary" (available online to subscribers, also in print). Retrieved 19 April 2009. Grandfather's clock [suggested by a song which was popular about 1880], a furniture-dealer's name for the kind of weight-and-pendulum eight-day clock in a tall case, formerly in common use; also grandfather clock (now the usual name): [1876 H. C. WORK Grandfather's Clock, My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf, So it stood ninety years on the floor.]
  2. ↑ Henry C. Work (1878). "Sequel To Grandfather's clock". New York: C. M. Cady.
  3. ↑ "Sequel To MY GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK - 1878 - Tom Roush". 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2019– via YouTube.
  4. ↑ Taxmeni (1977). "Dědečkovy hodiny". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube. Czech cover version of My Grandfather's Clock
  5. ↑ Tomizawa, Mizuo; Satō, Keiji. "みんなのうた《大きな古時計》(1962年）映像再現の試みについて" [On the Attempt to Revive the 1962 Footage of "My Grandfather's Clock" from Minna no uta](PDF). Kyushu University Institutional Repository (in Japanese). p. 23–24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ↑ Henry C. Work (1876). "Grandfather's clock". New York: C. M. Cady. Retrieved 5 May 2012. original publication uses "tick, tick, tick, tick", "tock" was added later
  7. ↑ "History of the Grandfather Clock". The Clock Depot. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2012.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.