Crossword Genius

The Sound of Music extended by and by (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

erelong

'by and by' is the definition.

'the sound of music extended' is the wordplay.
'the sound of' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'music' becomes 'air' (air is a kind of music).
'extended' becomes 'long-' (similar in meaning).
'air' sounds like 'ere'.
'ere'+'long'='ERELONG'

(Other definitions for erelong that I've seen before include "Soon (poetically)" , "Soon (poetic)" , "Soon (arch.)" , "Soon (archaic)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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