The answer is their composer: Thomas Haynes Bayly, 1797-1839
One of his most popular songs was "Long, Long Ago" writtend in 1833 but only published posthumously, in the United States, in 1844 where it became incredibly popular.
The tune - sped and jazzed up a little - is that for "Don't sit under the Apple Tree" popularised by Glenn Miller in 1942.
But how does Glenn Miller and popular early nineteenth century song-writer relate to the Liverpool & Manchester?
MUSIC. Of course!
From documentary evidence we know that there was a trumpeter or 'bugleman' who sent off every train from Liverpool Road Station, Manchester with the strains of "I'd be a butterfly", written by Bayly in 1828 and one of the most popular songs of its day.
Writing in 1836 Edward Herapath, however, described the sending out of trains as akin to 'a few cracked notes from an old broken down cavalry trumpet". Not very flattering.
But here's what the song sounded like. Enjoy.
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