Explore "The Power of Music" by Thomas Burke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
In the little room behind my shop / I refresh myself of an evening with my machine-that-sings.
Two songs has my machine-that-sings: / And these are 'Hitchy Koo' and 'We don't want to lose you.'
When, in the evening, a friend honours me with a visit, / I engage his ears with the air of 'Hitchy Koo'; / But when I am afflicted with a visit / From those who fill me with a spirit of no-satisfaction, / I command my machine-that-sings / To render the music of 'We don't want to lose you.'
The noise that at this moment greets the ear / Of the elegant visitor to this despicable hovel / Is the incomparable music of 'Hitchy Koo'; / And the price of this person's tea, mister, / Is but a paltry six shillings the pound.