Laura Lemon facts for kids

Laura Gertrude Lemon (born October 15, 1866 – died August 18, 1924) was a talented Canadian composer and songwriter. She spent most of her life living and working in England. Laura Lemon also used other names for her work, like Austin Fleming and Ian Macdonald.

She was best known for creating beautiful music for the violin and piano. One of her famous pieces was "Three Moravian Dances." This song was specially made for the Canadian violinist Kathleen Parlow. Laura Lemon was also famous for her many songs. Her song "My Ain Folk, a ballad of home" was once one of the most popular songs by a Canadian composer.

Early Life and Music

Laura Lemon was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Her father, Andrew Lemon, was a lawyer. Her mother, Laura Armstrong, shared her name with her daughter. In 1881, when Laura was five years old, her family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Laura grew up loving music and became very skilled at it. When she was in her early 20s, she moved to England. There, she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. This is a famous school for musicians.

Laura's Musical Journey

Laura Lemon was a very good pianist. Many of her first musical pieces were written for the piano. In the 1890s, her music started to be printed as sheet music. This meant people could buy the notes and play her songs themselves. Some of her early published works included "Slumber Songs" and "Three Moravian Dances." Local singers often performed her songs, sometimes with Laura herself playing the piano alongside them.

In 1904, Laura Lemon began working with a writer named Wilfrid Mills. He wrote the words, and she wrote the music. Their song "My Ain Folk" (meaning "My Own People") became very famous. It was subtitled "A Ballad of Home." A well-known English singer, Dame Clara Ellen Butt, helped make the song popular. She sang it during her concerts. The first time "My Ain Folk" was recorded was in July 1912. Dame Clara sang it for the Gramophone Company. Many other artists have recorded the song since then, including John McDermott and Lulu.

Laura Lemon passed away in Surrey, England, in 1924.

Her Music

Laura Lemon wrote music for the violin and piano. However, she was most famous for her songs. Here are some of her well-known works:

• "Three Moravian Dances", for piano and violin (1910) – This was dedicated to Kathleen Parlow.
• "My Ain Folk: A Ballad of Home" (1904).
• Slumber Songs (1895).
• "My Ain Love and My Dearie" (1900).
• "Canada Ever!" (1907).
• "Mighty Dominion" (1910).
• Canadian Song Cycle (1911), with words by Wilfred Mills.
• "Love's Necklet" (1913), with words by Lancelot Cayley Shadwell.