January 22, 1901 saw the death of England ’s
Queen Victoria
at the age of 81. The expansion of the British Empire reached its zenith under Victoria ’s 63 year
reign, which was the longest tenure for any British monarch, until Queen
Elizabeth II eclipsed it. I will always think of my buddy John Rees when I hear
the phrase “the sun never sets on the British Empire ”.
We talked about it during our historical bull sessions during slow times
towards the end of our workdays at the casino. When she died, Victoria
had 37 surviving great-grandchildren, and their marriages with other monarchies
gave her the name the “grandmother of Europe .”
Ray Davies, one of rock’s greatest wordsmiths, nearly outdid
himself on this homage to his country’s kind-hearted Queen. There is a
sing-along hook-laden chorus, a nice horn chart and a tasty solo by brother
Dave on lead. To follow along at home expand the notes where the lyrics are
displayed.
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