Ex. 7-9: An Old English Love Song

Composed around 1887 by Frances Allitsen, the pen name of Mary Frances Bumpus (1848–1912). Born in London, she first tried writing novels before turning to a musical career — initially as a singer, then as a composer. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music.

This was her first successful song. The lyrics are drawn from a song book by John Dowland (1563–1626), the Elizabethan lute song composer, while the music is Allitsen's own. She was one of the more commercially successful women composers of the Victorian era. Another well-known work of hers is "The Lord Is My Light."

Allitsen was known for her strong personality and gender-nonconforming appearance. Her songs were performed by leading singers of her time, including the contralto Clara Butt.