Mystery Music Manuscript "True Till Death"

"True Till Death" OLD MUSIC MANUSCRIPT MYSTERY - THE FIRST SOUNDS! hear what I heard when i played back the first few bars for the first time! Amazing! After being hidden for so long... amazing. 

So... in 2005 I was given a box of sheet music. The music in the box (some of it hand written but destroyed by mould and borer, were dated by hand at about 1830 - 1850.) 

A short while ago I found a beautiful handwritten and decorated ORIGINAL piece of music called "True Till Death" and I felt that I wanted to program the music into my computer, learn the lyrics and tune - and do a recording of the song. So far it is delightful! A little art song inspired by marriage or unending love. I'm hoping to find out more information! 

There is not ONE error despite it all having been written and drawn with a calligraphy-type pen. SO much love went into this song - I hope that I can do it justice and give it sound for the first time in 163 years...

So lovingly written out.

Loads of detailed line drawings on the cover.

I wish I knew who this song was written for!! 

Our only clue - Initials A C P

The watermark that covers most of each page. Only visible when held up to a light. 

I've done the first page - VERY haunting and chilling to hear the music come to life. Can just imagine the person playing this song... 


CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE FIRST SOUNDS AND SEE THE PHOTOS OF THE MANUSCRIPT Share if you can! 

“True, True till death”

By A.C. 

Here will I pledge thee, Dearest one. 

Here will I vow ere day be done. 

Deeper the shadows fall from the trees, 

Stirr’d to and fro by the evening breeze, 

True, true till death! 

True, true till death! 

Bear it, O wind! On your lightening breath! 

Bear it, O stream! On your bosom tide; 

Echo it! Carry it! Far and wide! 

True, true till death! 

True, true till death! 

Here will I pledge thee dearest one, 

For I must leave thee, all alone. 

Dark is the forrest, dark is the shore, 

Loud beats the storm and the waters roar… 

True, true till death! 

True, true till death! 

Bear it, O wind! On your lightening breath! 

Bear it, O stream! On your bosom tide; 

Echo it! Carry it! Far and wide! 

True, true till death! 

True, true till death!

(1800’s hand written musical manuscript found in a box in Durban, South Africa 2013)

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I've just been asked "Who gave you the Manuscript?" - My answer: When Francis Doherty-Bigara and I were first married we were given a box of music books by an older couple from our church. 

There were lots of music books and old manuscripts like this one - I saw dates 1830 - 1850 and also 1935 on some of the manuscripts so they must have been family music passed down? I don't know. 

Most of the original hand written music was badly damaged (so much so that I couldn't see the notes) such a tragedy. I threw most of it out - too much mould and mildew to keep them with my other sheet music collection. 

This one always 'spoke' to me, made me feel wistful and dreamy. It's followed me around for over 10 years, always staying in my music cupboards or in my piano stool. The other day I saw it again and realised that I HAD to make it come to life. 

I have contacted the old man who's wife gave me the original box. I hope he responds - I have only found him on Facebook but don't know if his page is active.

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I have now got a few friends looking into this for me! I hope we find out who wrote this song!