Goodbye Polly - George Leybourne - Framed Print - 16"H x 12"W

Goodbye Polly - George Leybourne - Framed Print - 16"H x 12"W

George Leybourne was a Lion comique of the British music hall who, for much of his career, was known by the title of one of his songs, "Champagne Charlie". Another of his songs, and one that can still be heard today, is "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze".

Even today he is still thought of as one of the most well known music hall performers.

In 1868, the manager of the Canterbury Music Hall, he employed Leybourne on an exclusive contract of £25 a week, providing him with a carriage drawn by four white horses. Over the next year by appearing, with Holland’s permission, at several other halls at the same time, his salary rose to £120 per week. However he allowed others to have the time in the spotlight. When Jenny Hill performed at the London Pavilion, she stopped the show and forced Leybourne to wait for her act to finish. Such was his generosity that he carried her back on to the stage for an encore.

Leybourne also wrote the lyrics to the song "If Ever I Cease to Love", some of the lyrics of which caused a scandal. It is remembered for its association with Mardi Gras in New Orleans; it became the signature song for the Rex Krewe. It is still to be heard at the New Orleans Carnival.