Henry Clay Work

Grandfather's Clock Variation

In the 1870s, visiting American composer Henry Clay Work (1832-1884), from Connecticut, happened to stay at the George Hotel, in Piercebridge, in the North of England, and was told the story of the Jenkins brothers and the old clock. He was fascinated by the story, and using it as inspiration, composed a song which he published in 1878 after his return to the States. This song - My Grandfather?s Clock - is reputedly his own interpretation of the Piercebridge clock story, and became very famous, selling over a million copies. Japanese arranger Takao Shirikawa has produced this theme and variations, based on the famous melody, for four clarinets.