This once hugely popular song demonstrates admirably the value of a telling musical phrase. Its composer was an accompanist and singing teacher, who was born ‘Helen Guy’ and took her artistic name from her birthplace of Hardelot, near Boulogne-sur-Mer. The lyricist ‘Edward Teschemacher’ also wrote under his real name of Edward Frederick Lockton. Among those who made early recordings of this song were John McCormack and (in French) Caruso, both of whom became friends of the composer in London. More recent recordings include one by Perry Como.
from notes by Andrew Lamb © 2003
