Joseph Augustine Wade facts for kids

Joseph Augustine Wade (born in 1796, died July 15, 1845) was a talented Irish composer and conductor. He was very popular during his lifetime. In fact, his words were even included in a famous book of quotes called Bartlett's Familiar Quotations in 1919.

The Life of Joseph Wade

Early Life and Moving to London

Joseph Wade was born in Dublin, Ireland. Before he became a musician, he worked as a surgeon. In 1821, he moved to London, England. For a short time, he even worked as a conductor at the King's Theatre, which is a famous place for performances.

His Musical Successes

Joseph Wade had some great successes with his music. He wrote an oratorio called The Prophecy in 1824. An oratorio is like a big concert piece for singers and an orchestra, usually telling a story. He also wrote a funny opera called The Two Houses of Grenada in 1826.

Wade was also well-known for arranging a song called Peter Gray. He wrote many popular songs too, like I've Wandered in Dreams, Love was Once a Little Boy, and A Woodland Life. His most famous song was Meet me by Moonlight. A famous American poet named Walt Whitman even mentioned Joseph Wade. In one of Whitman's stories, a character sings a part of Wade's song Meet me by Moonlight.

Joseph Wade's son, also named Joseph Augustine Wade, followed in his father's footsteps and became a composer too.

Joseph Wade's Musical Works

Joseph Wade wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of his important works:

Music for the Stage

These are pieces written for plays or operas:

• Two Houses of Granada, a funny opera (1826)
• The Convent Belles, another funny opera (1833)
• The Yeoman's Daughter, a musical play (1834)
• The Pupil of Da Vinci, a short, funny play (1839)

Songs and Vocal Music

These are pieces written for singers:

• Come Buy me Cherries (around 1820)
• The Hermit of Killarney, an Irish folk song (around 1820)
• The Prophecy, a large musical story for voices (1824)
• Hours There Were, a gentle song (1825)
• Where Stays my Lover's Barque, a song for three voices (around 1825)
• Farewell Sweet Whispering Echo, a song for a group of singers (around 1826)
• Say Will Summer Roses Bloom, a song for two singers (around 1828)
• Meet me by Moonlight, his most famous song (around 1830)
• Shula Agra, another Irish folk song (around 1830)
• The Faithless One (around 1830)
• Polish Melodies (1831)
• I have Fruit, I have Flow'rs, a beautiful song (around 1840)

Piano Music

Joseph Wade also wrote music for the piano:

• A Grand Duet for Two Performers on the Piano Forte (1827) - This was a piece for two people to play on one piano.

Joseph Wade's Writings

Besides composing, Joseph Wade also wrote a book about how to play the piano:

• The Hand-Book to the Piano Forte (published in London, 1844)