A friend found the sheet music for this song, and wonders if it was ever recorded. The song was published in Britain and America in 1916: Heart of Mine
Refrain:
Heart of Mine! Heart of Mine!
In the twilight your voice I hear.
Love's pure ray that lights my way,
For life's so sweet when you are near.
Eyes of Blue, Eyes so true,
Softly shining with love Divine;
Dream of me, I dream of thee.
Heart, Dear Heart of Mine.
Words by C.E. Vivian-Kennelly
Music by Leo. T. Croke
My searches bring up no recordings, which I find odd considering it was published in both the UK and US, although it was in World War I, in the early days of the recording industry. A copy of the sheet music on Preloved says it was "sung with great success by Carmen Navvario"... a complete unknown now it would seem. The sheet music is listed in the Roy Hudd Music Hall collection, so maybe that's the kind of place it was performed?
I know that published pop music from the 40s and 50s wasn't always commercially recorded, although I've found it's very much the exception rather than the rule. I don't know how true that is for earlier decades though.
I used to have a good memory but now I can't re Member since May 2011 5096 Points Moderator
I'm very dubious about the name Carmen Navvario. Carmen is a common Spanish name and Navarre or Navarro are common family names relating to the Basque kingdom of Navarre in Northern Spain. Names ending in rio are fairly common too, but the double-v in the middle of a name is virtually impossible to find in Spain. "Carmen Navarro" is my guess for her actual name although Navarrio and Navarria do also exist.
No picture 'cos I'm not into 45rpm :( Member since Jan 2013 3428 Points Moderator
Perhaps 'Music Hall' is the main clue here. The songs sung there would also be published, recorded or not. Leo T Croke seems to be a interesting person.
I'm very dubious about the name Carmen Navvario. Carmen is a common Spanish name and Navarre or Navarro are common family names relating to the Basque kingdom of Navarre in Northern Spain. Names ending in rio are fairly common too, but the double-v in the middle of a name is virtually impossible to find in Spain. "Carmen Navarro" is my guess for her actual name although Navarrio and Navarria do also exist.
It’s odd that nothing is found online for that version of her name.
I saw that page on Leo T. Croke. He does seem to have had an interesting career.
Its possible the tune was recorded, maybe in medley format, or used in a movie in the sound era, but the words possibly not, so would be played on the home player and the refrain sung by the family - if they knew it. Of course 1916 was in the middle of WW1 and lots of other tunes were out and about , so it might have got lost in the midst of other tunes, some very popular, a few others less so or long lived.