Music in the Air

The title character, John Loveday, son of Miller Loveday, arrives home and his father throws a party for him and his friends, a party to which the Garlands are invited.  The Garlands, particularly Anne, refuse to attend because of the presence of members of the lower class, though Miller Loveday compels them to come.  The men in attendance, mostly soldier friends of the trumpet-major, are captivated by Anne's beauty and compete for her attentions, though they are ultimately bestowed on John Loveday.  One person who is talked about though not present in the flesh is Robert Loveday, the brother of John who is in the navy.  At one point, a certain Sergeant Tanner begins to sing the following song:

When law’-yers strive’ to heal’ a breach’,

And par-sons prac’-tise what’ they preach’;

Then lit’-tle Bo-ney he’ll pounce down’,

And march’ his men’ on Lon’-don town’!

Chorus.—Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lo’-rum,

Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lay.

When jus’-ti-ces’ hold e’qual scales’,

And rogues’ are on’-ly found’ in jails’;

Then lit’tle Bo’-ney he’ll pounce down’,

And march’ his men’ on Lon’-don town’!

Chorus.—Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lo’-rum,

Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lay.

When rich’ men find’ their wealth’ a curse’,

And fill’ there-with’ the poor’ man’s purse’;

Then lit’-tle Bo’-ney he’ll pounce down’,

And march’ his men’ on Lon’-don town’!

Chorus.—Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lo’-rum,

Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lay.

Music plays an important role through the novel.  At this point, the music gets the attention of all the company and everyone enjoys his satirical song, though it is interrupted by another who was not invited to the party and who hears from outside the house and sings a verse the sergeant purposely left out out of respect for the ladies present:

When hus’-bands with’ their wives’ agree’.

And maids’ won’t wed’ from mod’-es-ty’,

Then lit’-tle Bo’-ney he’ll pounce down’,

And march’ his men’ on Lon’-don town’!

Chorus.—Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lo’-rum,
Rol’-li-cum ro’-rum, tol’-lol-lay.

The newcomer, Festus Derriman, has caused an interruption and created a dissonant sound among the party-goers.  Everything is brought to a halt and focused on him.  The miller points out Festus does not look natural in soldier gear, despite his resemblance to the Farnese Hercules.  He even disturbs Anne, who finally asks him to be quiet.  He is unwelcome noise and the liveliness of the party is only restored after agrees to her request. 

The above painting is The Music Lesson (1877) by Frederic Lord Leighton.