And some of the other entertainments were considered rather lowbrow, especially the Baby Shows, where mothers from all across the greater London area came to try to win prizes by displaying their offspring. One critic complained the band music was totally inappropriate and suggested that songs such as Mendelssohn’s
Cradle Song would have been far more suitable. So with the help of that great composer, after almost 150 years, we have followed that advice in presenting our
Highbury Cradle Song.
Vocals: Elizabeth Cochrane
Piano: Sarah Wilkinson; to the music of
Bei der Weige, Felix Mendelssohn
Lyrics
All in a line, beautiful babies, all looking so fine, beautiful babies in Highbury
Florence and Jane, they all have a name
Waiting inspection on mother’s knee, if thou art kind they may smile at thee
Some people say they should not be on show, others quite happy to give it a go
Come and see the babies, beautiful babies, beautiful babies in Highbury, in Highbury
Writers and critics didn’t mince words, babies were ugly, their mothers were worse
Elizabeth and George, twins at month four
Drinking their milk, while mothers had tea, fifty eight boys and girls thirty three
One like a Duchess, one Solomon the wise, no-one for sale, all up for a prize
Come and see the babies, beautiful babies, beautiful babies in Highbury, in Highbury
