The Rejected Volunteer (Schartau, Herbert)

Sheet Music

Scores

PDF scanned by Medical Histori...
Ross Duncan Boyle (2021/1/22)

PDF scanned by Medical Histori...
Ross Duncan Boyle (2021/1/22)

Publisher. Info. London: Reynolds & Co., n.d.(ca.1900). Plate R & Co. 704.
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Misc. Notes Acquired from Medical Historical Library, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University
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General Information

Work Title The Rejected Volunteer
Alternative. Title Humorous Song
Composer Schartau, Herbert
I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. IHS 2
Key D major
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 1900
First Performance. 1900
First Publication. 1900
Librettist Jay Hickory Wood (d. 1913)
Language English
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Early 20th century
Piece Style Early 20th century
Instrumentation voice, piano
Extra Information A humorous topical song about a Englishman wanting to serve his duties as a soldier, but gets turned away due to his poor health. He does not get the message, so he comes back and gets rejected again and again. Five times in fact! This song was relevant at the time, as there was a huge scandal regarding the fitness of Boer recruits, with a 25% rejection rate nationwide. In some cities like Manchester, 9/10 recruits were turned away. The Boer War was long and gruelling. It took 200,000 British soldiers to defeat 20,000 Boers. This was due to their poor nutrition, health and living conditions, in contrast to the well-fed, fit Boer farmers. This may have kickstarted the Liberal reforms of the next decade. Sung by Ernest Hastings (1879-1940), the entertainer at the piano during his beginning of his society entertainer career.