Here's a RAOGK: Joseph Edwards Carpenter was an English professor and poet and
songwriter, living in London (20 Norlands Square, Notting Hill in 1881). He published two
books that I know of : Lays and Legends of Fairyland (1849) a copy of which exists in the
Princess Grace Library in Monaco, and My Jubilee Volume (1877). He was well enough known
to be quoted in Bartett's Familiar Quotations, although he is a lost victorian voice
by now. His citation is for this:
John Bartlett (1820-1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Joseph Edwards Carpenter. (1813- ?)
1
What are the wild waves saying,
Sister, the whole day long,
That ever amid our playing
I hear but their low, lone song?
What are the wild Waves saying?
2
Yes! but there's something greater
That speaks to the heart alone:
'T is the voice of the great Creator
Dwells in that mighty tone.
What are the wild Waves saying? Refrain.
- What are the Wild Waves Saying? [Ocean]
His son, Frank William Carpenter married my great aunt Marie England. She is the daughter
of William England the celebrated stereophotographer.
Cheers,
Muriel Morris, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada