Many brave hearts are asleep in the deep

Wilfred Glenn (1881-1970) and Frank Croxton (1877-1949)

This is another of my 'one thing leads to another' musings. My post on Lawrence Tibbett mentions his very early recording (1929) of Stainer's 'Crucifixion' and the contribution of two bass 'step outs' from the choir, Wilfred Glenn and Frank Croxton. My research into these two gentlemen occasioned a number of thoughts regarding reputation, career, endeavour and oblivion. Both Glenn and Croxton had very considerable singing careers at the beginning of the 20th century, working mainly in professional church choirs, and undertaking a range of oratorio engagements. Croxton has an extensive Wikipedia page and there is further information about Glenn on YouTube. Both were prolific recording artists: Glenn made about 750 records and Croxton 450 (these were 78 rpm shellac discs) and all these are available through the Discography of American Historical Recordings. I attach links to representative examples of their singing. Both have very resonant voices (in the American lower male voice tradition) with Glenn having quite impressive basso profundo notes. I like to think the voice of my grandfather, Bert Waters, was similar. Neither makes a particularly beautiful sound, and both sacrifice legato for clarity of diction, but, here they are, calling to us from across the abyss of time. Apart from a very, very few officianados, they are completely forgotten, so I, who also made a singing career of which I am proud, and who will also be consigned to oblivion eventually, wish to make this very small gesture of remembrance. As James Elroy Flecker wrote in a slightly different context:

Since I can never see your face,

And never shake you by the hand,

I send my soul through time and space

To greet you. You will understand.

Wilfred Glenn 'Asleep in the Deep' (1913)

https://youtu.be/uzeLg-x4nd4?si=5nvlhIcjJ7sOFE9k

Frank Croxton 'Nazareth' (1912)

https://youtu.be/ZcT66ioF6mM?si=H-wylhATDWAJNZzv