Charles K. Harris
After the Ball for voice & piano
Works Info
Composer:Charles K. HarrisGenre:VocalStyle:SongCompose Date:1892First Performance:Dec 27, 1927Average_duration:2:55"After the Ball" is a popular song composed by Charles K. Harris in 1891. It premiered in the same year and quickly became a hit, selling over two million copies of sheet music in the United States alone. The song is a sentimental ballad that tells the story of a man who regrets losing his love after a dance. The song is composed in three movements, with a slow and melancholic introduction followed by a lively and upbeat chorus. The first movement sets the scene, describing the ballroom and the couple's dance. The second movement is the chorus, which is repeated throughout the song and features the memorable refrain, "After the ball is over, after the break of morn, after the dancers' leaving, after the stars are gone." The final movement is a reprise of the first, with the man lamenting his lost love and wishing he could go back to the night of the ball. The song's popularity can be attributed to its catchy melody and relatable lyrics. It struck a chord with audiences of the time, who were drawn to its sentimental themes of lost love and nostalgia. The song was also notable for its use of the waltz rhythm, which was popular in ballroom dancing at the time. Overall, "After the Ball" is a classic example of a turn-of-the-century sentimental ballad. Its enduring popularity has made it a staple of American popular music, and it continues to be performed and recorded to this day.More....