(Mary) Frances Allitsen (30 December 1848 – 1 October 1912) was an an English composer.
[For last year's musings on Paul Bowles click here.]
Name Game
“The Lord is My Light” embodied the height
Of what the Victorians thought was right.
The composer avoided a choir loft rumpus
By changing her name (she was born Mary Bumpus).
She altered her name for decorum, and then
Was known as Frances Allitsen.
Bumpus, you see, would be vulgar and garish
When read in reports of the news from the parish.
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