Sunday, October 18, 2009

Alice Blue Gown

This is a beautiful vintage print that my sister recently found on one of her antiqueing jaunts. It is just beautiful, as you can see. Printed on the bottom of the print, it says "Alice Blue Gown". I'm printing the lyrics to that old song below. However, I'm leaving off the author as I have found at least three writers who are attributed to writing it.




Alice Blue Gown

I once had a gown, it was almost new,
Oh, the daintiest thing,
it was sweet Alice blue,
With little forget-me-nots placed here and there,
When I had it on, oh, I walked on the air!
it wore, and it wore, and it wore,
'Til it went, and it wasn't no more.

In my sweet little Alice blue gown,
I first wandered down into town,
I was so proud inside,
As I felt every eye,
And in every shop window I primped, passing by.
A new manner of fashion I'd found,
And the world seemed to smile all around.

'Til it wilted, I wore it, I'll always adore it,
My sweet little Alice blue gown!
The little silk worms that made silk for that gown,
Just made that much silk and then crawled in the ground,
'Cause there never was anything like it before,
And I don't care to hope there will be any more!

And it's gone, 'cause it just had to be,
Still it wears in my memory.
In my sweet little Alice blue gown,
When I first wandered down into town,
I was so proud inside,
As I felt every eye, And in every shop window I primped, passing by.

A new manner of fashion I'd found,
And the world seemed to smile all around.
So it wouldn't be proper If made of silk were another,
My sweet little Alice blue gown!

14 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

What a gorgeous painting! And the song is just perfect -- thanks for sharing both Miss Jean!

The Green Pea said...

Love your sisters find. Jean the song is perfect... sandi

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a wonderful find!!

Rue said...

Hi Miss Jean :)

What a sweet song and painting!

Thank you so much for your sweet compliment on my kitchen. I answered your question on my following post, but if you need more info on how to do it, let me know :)

rue

Brenda said...

That is a beautiful print. My mom in law would love it. It is quite like what she would bring home with a huge smile on her face. I had not heard the song/poem before. Thanks for sharing. The library is where I pick up my books on CD. Our local one does not have many but I can order in from other locations. I usually have two on order at a time. I do not drive very far to work but to get anywhere else I drive a lot so I listen to one in the car every couple of weeks. Sometimes when I sew I miss parts and have to back it up because I am concentrating so hard on what I am doing.

ChaChaneen said...

I lurve that shawl she is wearing! Gorgeous! And her hair is lovely too, oh to have that talent for painting... sigh... you lucky gal! Thanks for sharing it with us and I hope your having a cozy evening.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

She is lovely! Infact, she looks a lot like my friend, Becky L!!!

You girls always find the sweetest prints!

Lovely words!!!

xx
becky

Nicole said...

Beautiful painting. And haven't we all had a garment we loved that much!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Miss Jean, Do you know that most likely refers to President Teddy Roosevelt's daughter, Alice? She was a very independent woman and I've read conflicting reports on where the term "Alice Blue Gowns" came from: either she came out in blue or was known for wearing a particular blue. In any event, her choice spurred a fashion trend. Sorry, wealth of weird knowledge in my head....

ocmist said...

Both poem/song and painting are wonderful pieces of art. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I also have a wonderful print of Alice Blue Gown in a beautiful blue and gold frame. Does anyone know who the artist is of the original painting?

Tor That's Peachy said...

Hello, do you have any idea where I can get a copy of the Alice Blue Gown picture? I'm based in the UK.

If you know, can you email me tornumber9@hotmail.com

Thanks so much, Tor x

Anonymous said...

Bought the print at an auction about thirty years ago. still hanging on our living room wall.Its a very beautiful and intriguing.

Anonymous said...

They are being sold on eBay