Huddersfield Chronicle (02/Mar/1894) - Patey's Farewell

Janet Monach Patey (née Whytock) was an internationally renowned concert and oratorio contralto. Born 1 May 1842 in London, she married bass singer John George Patey. She gave recitals in America, France, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan. and died at Sheffield on 28 February 1894 whilst on a farewell tour of England.


The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

Patey's Farewell

Patey has sang her last farewell,
The voice that charmed all ears
Is still, her throbbing harmony,
That prompted joyful tears,
Is but an echo, past away,
The deep tones, sweet and clear,
That held mankind entrancingly,
That touched his chords of fear.
The wondrous flights of blissful strains,
That seemed to reach the skies,
That made one think them not of earth,
Those ever beaming eyes,
That softened melody which streamed
In a unific flow,
That soulful, heavenly music which
Set every heart aglow,
That trembling whisper, so distinct,
Which burst to glorious heights,
That led us spell-bound captive to
Ineffable delights;
Those movements eloquent of power,
Of gentle sympathy;
Those words which blent in unison,
Gave purest ecstacy;
Ah! that that sad prophetic song
Should be the last that fell
From the unequalled Patey, and
Should be the last farewell
Of one who sang us “Home, sweet Home,”
And “Summer’s latest Rose,”
Electrified us, stayed our fears,
And hushed us to repose.

CID.