All these melodrama are actually called for. For there is truly a mystery behind grandfather clocks, a story so sentimental it managed to leave a mark throughout the years. And it touches every person that stops to look at its moving pendulum, or listen to its chimes.
So what's this story? Have you ever wondered why it's been called a grandfather clock in the first place? Yeah, it's stately, imposing yet homey and comforting, just like the old chap himself. But there's more to it than all these common sense answers.
So How Does the Story Go?
It all started when Henry Clay Work set foot in a hotel called the George Hotel. It was 1875 when this happened. Work found himself on the border of County Durham and Yorkshire and stopped to listen to the folks? stories. He was so touched by the story behind that long case clock that he decided to write a song about it.
You can't wait to hear the story? It goes this way. Two brothers who carried the name Jenkins owned and operated George Hotel. And right in the heart of the lobby stood proud an imposing longcase clock. The clock was efficient and was a faithful reminder of time, until one of the brothers died. After that, the clock just ceased to be efficient. The hotel staff, together with the local clockmakers, tried to repair it the best they could. But their efforts were all in vain. The clock just won't cooperate.
Where Grandfather Clocks Got Their Names
And then the second brother died. After that untoward incident, the longcase clock just stopped functioning altogether. It just lost its reason for existence.
The inspired Henry Clay Work went on to write a song about the touching story he heard. He gave the song the title, ?My Grandfather's Clock.? And that's where your longcase clocks got their current name. And that's how your grandfather clocks became a legend.
The Song Became a Hit
The song then became a hit in the 50's and 60's. The version by Radio Revellers made waves in Europe. If you grew up during these decades, you're bound to be familiar with the song. In 2002, Ken Hirai made a hit out of the song in Japan with his own version. The song earned a high position in the Japanese popularity charts. It became a favorite among many generations of Japanese.
Now popular singers like Boyz II Men have given the song their own beautiful rendition. Have you seen the episode of Twilight Zone called "Ninety Years without Slumbering?? That episode gained inspiration from the song. You may even have heard the song's version that's beyond the pale. It's called ?My Grandfather's Cock.?
And so the legend lives on (for the grandfather clock, that is). And you have that legend standing in your receiving area, with its unwavering pride and imposing facade.
Tempus Fugit Grandfather Clocks
Today's grandfather clocks are descendents of William Clement's clock from 1670. He had discovered that a longer pendulum meant more accurate time-keeping. The long pendulum had to be enclosed to prevent children (and adults) playing with it. Hence the long-case clock was invented. The name Grandfather Clock comes from Henry Work's 1875 song, "My Grandfather's Clock."
If your parents or grandparents had a grandfather clock you are certain to remember it well. Its sounding of every hour with a tremendously resonant goooooonnnngg, the way it kept you awake all night until you were used to it, the daily winding ritual, its sheer presence. How many times did you stand and watch the pendulum swinging in front of your face, safely enclosed behind a glass panel? How many times did you ask to be allowed to pull on the chains that wound it up?
These fantastic historical clocks are held in the memories of more than one generation.
Modern homes are generally too small to accommodate a grandfather clock easily. Some people buy one to remind them of their youth, or perhaps, to give their children similar fantastic memories of the sight, sound and presence of this amazing timepiece.
You can now buy plans or kits to make your own grandfather, or long case, clock. These clocks will obviously come at a lower cost than an antique, or any other ready made grandfather clock.
The kits come in a variety of finishes, from palest pine to darkest rosewood.
The most important thing to check out before you buy is the sound of the chime. You are going to live with this for a long time; you have to like the sound of your clock.
Both Andrei Myers & Ventura are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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