Won't you buy my pretty Flowers

Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers

The song was composed by A W French and G W Persley,about whom little appears to be known, and was published in 1876 (although it should be noted that there is some slight uncertainty regarding this date). It proved to be very popular in music halls on both sides of the Atlantic and was performed by more than one Minstrel troupe. It entered the repertoire of many rural singers including Henry Burstow, and was still to be found in the repertoire of English singers such as Mrs Amy Ford of Low Ham in Somerset in the 1970's. The song was also still to be found in late twentieth century publications such as a collection of Parlour Ballads edited by Michael Turner in 1972.

Library of Congress reproduction of sheet music for "Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers"

--Irene Shettle 12:14, 21 April 2007 (BST)