Dave's Tall Case Clock


"Antique
Standing"

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York, NY
Built: 1894 - 1914
Case: Oak

This is a clock I've lusted after for many years. Now it's the centerpiece of my living room, and I can scarcely believe it. It brings new meaning to the term "ornate," with over two dozen gilt brass decorations. In the back of the open well (where you see the weights and pendulum) is a large embossed panel depicting Venus and Cupid. This model actually appeared first in the 1886 Ansonia catalog, but this particular dial did not appear until 1894. It has a very accurate, solid-plate, weight-driven, 8-day movement.

 

The Story of "Grandfather's Clock"

Most folks refer to clocks such as this as "grandfather clocks." Interestingly, this term did not come into popular use until late in the 19th century -- these clocks were previously called either "standing clocks," "tall-case clocks," or "hall clocks." But in 1876, a man named Henry Work wrote a song called "Grandfather's Clock." It became the most popular song in America (if you can believe the publisher). The sheet music shown here was probably published in 1879, three years after the introduction of the song. The song's tremendous popularity lasted well into the 20th century. (If you don't believe me, ask anyone over 60 to sing it!)

Sheet Music

Copies of this score are for sale in the Miscellany Department of the Deux Amis Trading Company.
"GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK"
by Henry C. Work

VERSE 1
My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,
so it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
and was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopp'd short- never to go again-
when the old man died.

CHORUS
Ninety years, without slumbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick),
His life seconds numbering
(tick, tick, tick, tick),
It stopp'd short- never to go again-
when the old man died.

VERSE 2
In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy;
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
and to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered the door,
with a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopp'd short- never to go again-
when the old man died.

VERSE 3
My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time and had but one desire-
at the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place- not a frown upon its face,
and its hands never hung by its side;
But it stopp'd short- never to go again-
when the old man died.

VERSE 4
It rang an alarm in the dead of the night-
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew his spirit was planning for flight-
That the hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
as we silently stood by his side;
But it stopp'd short- never to go again-
when the old man died.

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