[ 154 1 VERA BRODSKY LAWRENCE it did disclose that the tune was not of his composition. In accordance with common practice, Hawkins had set his words to a popular air, in this case an Irish political ballad of the eighteenth century, "The Boyne Water" whose tune he had earlier transcribed in crude notation in his Book of Notes for the German Flute. Understandably, the song became a staple of Mr. Robertson's repertory. He was still singing it in 1817, when the Evening Post (June 17 and 18) advertised that he would include it as a special feature of his own benefit at the Park on June 18, and this time its author was named. With the growing vogue for "Ethiopian" entertainment the song became increasingly popular, and in 1837, twelve years after Hawkins' death, it was issued in sheet music form as "Backside Albany" the most popular of its many titles. Decorated with a flamboyant lithographed pictorial cover designed by the caricaturist and designer of sheet music covers known as "Spoodlyks" and referring to the composer—with characteristic contemporary editorial casualness—as Mr. "Michael" Hawkins on the cover and Mr. "Mical" Hawkins in the caption title, the song appeared in an arrangement by the well-known musician William Clifton. A distinctively Irish air, "The Boyne Water" is a curiously inappropriate choice of musical vehicle for the text it is meant to convey. BACKSIDE ALBANY.29 Backside Albany dar Lake Shamplain, One leetle Pon half full a water, Plattburg dar too close upon de main, Town small he grow bigger doe here arter, On Lake Shamplain Uncle Sam set he boat, An Massa Macdonough he sail 'em, While General Maccomb, Make Plattburg he home, Wid he army whose courage nebber fail 'em. Whether or not Micah Hawkins originated this curious mix of low 29Sheet music at Music Division, Library of Congress; also Collection of Lester S. Levy. A large number of songsters, including this song, are found in the Levy Collection.