- published: 18 Feb 2012
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Billy Joseph Mayerl (May 31, 1902 – March 25, 1959), was an English pianist and composer who built a career in music hall and musical theatre and became an acknowledged master of light music. Best known for his syncopated novelty piano solos, he wrote over 300 piano pieces, many of which were named after flowers and trees, including his best known composition, Marigold (1927). He also ran the successful School of Syncopation for whose members he published hundreds of his own arrangements of popular songs.
He also composed works for piano and orchestra, often in suites with evocative names such as the 'Aquarium Suite' (1937), comprising "Willow Moss", "Moorish Idol", "Fantail", and "Whirligig".
Mayerl was born into a musical family on London's Tottenham Court Road, near the West End theatre district. His father, a violin player, attempted to introduce Mayerl to the violin at the age of four but failed. After noticing Mayerl's affinity for the piano he started him with piano lessons soon afterward and by the age of 7 he was studying at the Trinity College of Music, paid for with a series of scholarships. His first major concert was at the age of nine, playing Grieg's Piano Concerto. In his teens, he supplemented these lessons by accompanying silent movies and playing at dances.
I got a picture of you
It's the way that I get you
And some letters I carry 'round
To stay with me
Nothing's forever
Nothing is ever gone
And we ain't together
But you stay with me
Stay with me
Stay with me
On a wide and a crooked road
To stay with me
I'm a wandering fool
But you found a way
My love won't you stay with me
'Cause my heart how it breaks when you
Leave
I got a picture
Solo
And some letters I carry 'round
To stay with me
It's the way that I get you
Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay with me