User talk:FairlyPuzzled/sandbox

John Sheridan Murphy (6 November 1852 - 11 July 1907), or J.S. Murphy better known by his writing name Oliver Brand was an English playwright, Lyricist, song writer, Teacher and author of short stories He wrote many play's and songs and in the 1870's  until his death in 1907, working with such talents as Swiss composer  P. Von Tugginer and Placide Malva, English Composer Hamilton Clarke, who was a friend of Gilbert and Sullivan and the French composer Leonard Gautier, who was famous for his simple eighth-note melody piano piece called Le Secret.

Brand was born on 6 November 1852 at 7 pierrepoint place in Bath, Avon, England. He was one of 6 children born to James Alphonsos Murphy (1825-1877) who was born in Maynooth, Ireland, who was a Teacher in Midford, and Jane Flanery (b.1868-1917) was also a teacher was from Dublin, Ireland. Murphy was bought up Catholic, with both parents being Irish Catholic. He was home schooled by his father John Alphonsos until he attended Downside School Being that both of his parents were teachers, he was educated well.

Brands nephew was first-class Irish cricketer Desmond Murphy who played for Ireland cricket team in 1920. His grandson is actor Brian Murphy, who is married to Linda Regan. his great-grandsons are actor/film-maker Benjayx Murphy and playwright Martin Murphy.

He became a Stockbroker in London and then later a Clerk. In 1876, he travelled in Spain and Gibraltar, teaching along the way to various high-class famillies.

around 1881 he was lodged with Placide Malva, who also used the writing name of P. Von Tugginer in Clapham, London, where he, with Placide Malva, started to write songs and operas. over the years, they would collaborate on over 30 songs and melodies. It was around this time that he started to credit himself as 'J.S.Murphy' and then 'Oliver Brand'.

Brand was one of the many Victorian composers and lyricists selected by German Reed Entertainments (famous for engaging with then newcomer W.S.Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan) at St. George's Hall, London, on Regent's Street. He was paired up with Hamilton Clarke to write the song "Fairly Puzzled" in 1884 of which he wrote the lyrics. Also in 1884 he wrote the songs "Epping Forest" and "One Angry Word" with French composer Leonard Gautier and later the vaudeville comedy "The Mummy" for St. George's Hall, London. During this time at St.Georges Hall, Brand was involved with many projects with P. Von Tugginer.

By 1887 he had moved to Battersea, London and was married to Elizabeth Bettle (1868-1917) and between 1888 an 1904 had 9 children.

In 1901, Brand was a Teacher Of Language in Portsmouth, Hampshire. by this stage in his life, he was still writing songs and lyrics whilst producing theatre shows and operettas. His last notable work was "A Grand Concert" in 1906, a musical about the Irish Rebellion of 1798 against the British. The concert, held at Salisbury Hall, Southsea, had music by composer Thomas Hunter.

Oliver Brand died before his time at his family home in Augastine Road, Southsea, Hampshire on 11 July 1907, aged 53. Throughout his life, Brand had worked with many famous and successful people and wrote many lasting songs and lyrics, an achievement many will only ever dream.

Index Of Songs

Butter Fly And Bee Song (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

Kitty Of The Vale Ballard (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

The Sailors Home (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

The Last Leaf (Grandmamas Song) (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

Remembered Yet (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

When Life Is Young (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

Believe Me (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

Cast Of All Sorrow (as Oliver Brand) (1883)

Pass Around The Goblet (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Fair Rosaline (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883) : Purchased by Native American Chieftain tribe, Viwita Territory in Oklahoma, USA in 1887

The Hills Of Navarre (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Scarlet Poppies (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Dream & Forget (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Toledo (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884) : Comic Opera Performed at Empire Theatre, Aberdare, Wales

Epping Forest (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884)

My Love Has Set Sail (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1884)

Fairy Glen (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (22 April 1884) : Operetta at St. George's Hall, London

The Mummy (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (22 April 1884) : Operetta at St. George's Hall, London

Fairly Puzzled (as Oliver Brand) with Hamilton Clarke (19 August 1884) : For German Reed Entertainment at St. George's Hall, London

Dust Thou Remember (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1884)

One Angry Word (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884)

I Know Not Why (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1884)

Fairest Of All (as O. Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1884)

Dont Tell Me Love (as Oliver Brand) (1884)

Gertie (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1901)

Au Revior (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1901)

The Cornflower (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1901)

Skating By Moonlight (J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1901)

A Grand Concert (Various songs) (as Oliver Brand) with Thomas Hunter (1906) : Musical performed at Salisbury Hall, Southsea.

Unknown Dates (between 1881-1906)

Firelight Shadows (as O. Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

The Charm Of A Blush (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Mitcham Town (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

The Best Of Friends Must Part Sometimes (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Beyond Repair (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

The Silent Harp (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Our Only Hope (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

A Fairy Dream (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer