Jacob Show

New Friends and Old Friends

Alex Tu--That's what friends are for

Joseph Parry--Biography
Joseph Parry was born in a small terraced cottage in Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales in May 1841. He spent his childhood there but when he was 13 years old, his parents moved to America. They settled in Danville, Pensylvania, and it was here that Joseph Parry began writing music. He had many admirers in the States who contributed generously to provide funds for him to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1868 - 1871. In 1872, he moved to Aberystwyth and became the first Professor of Music at the towns University College. He lived in a house at the foot of Constitution Hill where a blue plaque has been placed in his memory. He remained in Aberystwyth from 1873 - 1877 and the place where he used to work - the University's music hall in Laura Place - has been named after him. After leaving Aberystwyth, he received his doctorate of music from Cambridge in 1878. He also taught at the Univeristy College of Wales, Cardiff, from 1888-1903.

New Friends and Old Friends
by Joseph Parry

Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test -
Time and change - are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.

posted by Jacob Chen @ 7:22 AM