Rhyme 7

~ Harry Parr Davies ~

Harry Parr Davies was a young Welshman with a heart full of song, in composing for Gracie he did not go wrong. His brilliance was apparent in every show, who could forget 'Wish Me Luck' and 'Sing As We Go'. 'I Leave My Heart In An English Garden' is a poignant message we cannot deny, when at the early age of forty-one he was destined to die.

~ The Right Note ~

Gracie loved to tease her pianists and get them in a stew, changing key in the middle of a song she would often do. They begged to be warned beforehand but that would spoil all the fun, this irritating habit confused everyone. Except the genius Harry Parr Davies he was able to read her mind no matter how much she tantalized the right note he could find.

Gracie and Harry in rehearsal at the Radio Luxembourg Studio

Rehearsal time - Gracie and Harry Parr Davies

Harry and Gracie relaxing

~ A Song From The Heart ~

Write me a love song Harry or a song bright and gay, as long as the words are inspiring to help folk on their way. The young are so romantic the elderly need good cheer, I will lend my voice to the melody ringing out loud and clear. Write me a song from the heart lad as in days gone by, like the morning glory it will never
die.

Gracie appealing for funds for the R.N.L.I.
from the lifeboat on Blackpool promenade. Harry sitting.

Miles away from Blackpool. Gracie and Harry
atop the Empire State Building in New York.

Harry, Gracie and friends at Gracie's
home 'Greentrees' Finchley, London 1937

Gracie began her radio career in the 1930s
and when she was on air during that time Parliament
was likely to be adjourned! Here Gracie broadcasts
to Australia in 1936 with Harry and Basil Dean.

Gracie calling Harry

~ Life is A Song ~

At seventeen Welsh Harry was a lanky lad with a spotty face he wore spectacles and his manner rather shy, the stage door-keeper mistook him for a messenger boy and he was able to get by. He entered Gracie's dressing-room where a piano stood mumbling something about a song, "Play your tune sonny but I can't stay long." Harry sat down and played it was divine, "Now go away and finish it." He blushed miserably "I can't" he stammered "I haven't got a piano." Gracie laughed "All right, you can use mine." Up to that time she did not have a permanent pianist and none were composers. A bright idea came to mind if she engaged Harry she would have a pianist and composer combined. He did not need a second bidding he was thrilled to bits, he wrote 'Pedro the Fisherman' 'Melody at Dawn' and many other great hits. Harry accompanied Gracie for nearly ten years and after they parted little was heard of him until a startling announcement appeared in the daily newspapers. "Harry Parr Davies found dead in his flat", the public have never known the reason for that. Gracie said "I feel very sad in my heart Harry was so clever through my recordings his songs will live for ever".