Kitty the nonpareil - Arne, Thomas

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"A topical comic song probably written for performance at the London pleasure gardens, either Ranelagh or Vauxhall. Arne refers to several celebrities at the height of their fame in 1759: military commanders (Frederick the Great of Prussia, Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Sir Edward Hawke (victor at Quiberon Bay) and also those of less definable celebrity: Lady Diana Beauclerk (née Spencer - the original "Lady Di"), Lady Bell (currently unidentified) and Kitty Fisher, who achieved widespread renown in 1759 with what would, in modern parlance, be termed a 'wardrobe malfunction'."

⌛ Period → Baroque ◈ Genre → Arias ♬ Voicing → solo high ¶ Language → English

Parts 1

Instruments Basso continuo, violins

Pages 3

CPDL # 82649

Editor Christopher Shaw

Posted 2024-11-06

License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike

¶Lyrics / Text

Of wars let other rhymers talk, With Fred'rick, Ferdinand and Hawk Fill each heroic ditty; At distance from the blust'ring throng, All, all the burden of my song Shall be the name of Kitty. When first I saw her on the plain, I gaz'd, I lov'd, and told my pain, She sigh'd and seem'd to pity; 'Tis well the nymph that wounds can cure, Yes, my poor heart! or else I'm sure 'Twere death to look on Kitty. Ye tasteless slaves of passion dwell On Lady Di and Lady Bell, The great, the rich, the witty; But I'll be hang'd, at play, at ball, If they, or any of them all, Can cope with blooming Kitty. When match'd with nature's dye, how faint The sickly red and white of paint! Can varnish'd dolls be pretty? Here art would nature but disguise: Ah! what are di'monds to thine eyes? My dear, my charming Kitty. Go fortune, with your favours sport, Throw titles to the dogs at court, Give money in the city; But think not so to cozen me, I'm wiser, and will never be Content with less than Kitty.