William Lingard

William Horace Lingard (1839-1927) was an American entertainer of the 19th century and manager of Wood's Theater in New York City. An English immigrant, Lingard was known for his comic singing. He often appeared on stage in drag as a female impersonator, in the high fashion style of the era. He was also a master of quick change, able to act the part of six individuals with only a few seconds for each costume change (Khan).

Captain Jinks

He is chiefly remember for the well-known vaudeville song, "Captain Jinks", sometimes called "Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines". Lingard wrote the lyrics, and the music is attributed to T. Maclagan. It was a popular song of the 19th century, and it is still sung to this day, having entered the country-western and bluegrass repertory.

The song later became the basis of a stage comedy of the same title, written by Clyde Fitch, and a 1975 opera by Jack Beeson.

The song has many variants. The original version of 1868 is as follows:

1.I am Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines,I often live beyond my means,I sport young ladies in their teens,To cut a swell in the army.I teach the ladies how to dance,how to dance, how to dance,I teach the ladies how to dance,For I'm their pet in the army.

(Spoken. Ha!ha!ha!)

Chorus:I'm Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines,I give my horse good corn and beans,Of course it's quite beyond my means,Tho' a captain in the army.

2.I joined my corps when twenty one,Of course I thought it capital fun,When the enemy came then off I run,I wasn't cut out for the army.When I left home, mama, she cried,Mama, she cried, mama, she cried,When I left home, mama, she cried,"He aint cut out for the army."

(Spoken. No, she thought I was too young, but then, I said, ah! mama,)

Chorus

3.The first day I went out to drill,The bugle sound made me quite ill,At the Balance step my hat it fell,And that wouldn't do for the army.The officers they all did shout,They all cried out, they all did shout,The officers they all did shout,"Oh that's the curse of the army."

(Spoken. Of course my hat did fall off, but, ah! nevertheless,)

Chorus

4.My Tailors bills came in so fast,Forced me one day to leave at last,And ladies too, no more did cast,Sheeps eyes at me in the army.My creditors at me did shout,At me did shout, at me did shout,My creditors at me did shout,"Why kick him out of the army."

(Spoken. I said, ah! gentlemen, ah! kick me out of the Army? Perhaps you are not aware, that)

Chorus

References

From Historical American Sheet Music. [http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/dynaweb/sheetmusic/1860-1869/@Generic__BookView?DwebQuery=cM161C Duke Digital Collections ] at scriptorium.lib.duke.edu

Also see:

[http://bluegrassmessengers.com/master/captainjinks.html Bluegrass Messengers ] at bluegrassmessengers.com

[http://www.liucedarswampcollection.org/template1/jinks.html 1868 Song Sheet, Captin' Jinks and the Horse Marines ] at www.liucedarswampcollection.org

[http://www.thirdspace.ca/articles/3_2_durden.htm Thirdspace 3/2 - Durden: Not Just a Leg Show ] at www.thirdspace.ca

E. J. Khan, The Merry Partners: the Age and Stage of Harrigan & Hart, 1955, pg. 152