Wonders in the Sun, or, The Kingdom of the Birds; a Comick Opera.

London: for Jacob Tonson,, 1706. First appearance in print of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" First edition, early issue, with "Durfey" on the title page (later corrected to "D'Urfey") and with errors in the catchwords on A4. The Brotherton Library's copy has "Londn" in the imprint (which is corrected in this copy). This burlesque opera includes the earliest variant of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" (as "In the Fields in Frost and Snows"). This Restoration entertainment comprised a semi-opera with a libretto by Thomas D'Urfey. Music was sourced by John Smith, Samuel Akeroyde, John Eccles, Giovanni Battista Draghi, and Jean-Baptiste Lully. The piece was first performed at the Queen's Theatre on 8 April 1706, with all the actors dressed as birds. In the third act, the character of "Innocence" is a performer "in the Vocal Musick Representing the Vertues and Vices of the Country". Innocence sings a three stanza song introducing a cow, an owl, and sheep. The respective stage directions read "Mimicks a Cow's Lowing", "Whoo, woo, mimicks an Owl", and "Bae, mimicks a Sheep". The words include "Booing here, Booing there, / Here a Boo, here a Boo, every where a Boo" (with appropriate changes for subsequent verses). It is unknown whether D'Urfey based this verse on an older traditional song, but this is the earliest known version in print. It would appear that, despite the unsuccessful opera in which it appeared, the song became widely popular. It appeared on song sheets, D'Urfey revised it for Wit and Mirth: or pills to Purge Melancholy, Volume 2 (published in 1719), and it was included in John Gay's Polly (published in 1729). Provenance: Robert Hoe, book label (Anderson Galleries, New York, 11 November 1912, Part IV, lot 1157); John L. Clawson (book label); Winston Henry Hagen (bookplate); John R. B. Brett-Smith (Sotheby's, 27 May 2004, lot 210). Quarto. Early 20th century full blue morocco by Salvatore David, signed "S. DAVID" on front turn-in, spine lettered in gilt, floral gilt decoration in compartments, spine with raised bands, covers with triple-fillet borders, top edge gilt, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers. Occasional paper flaws; a fine copy retaining the half-title. Nicoll II, p. 320; Pforzheimer 350.