Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-05-31
ORIGIN OF THE MARSAILLAIS
HYMN.

II vi IN.
The following account Of the Nation
al Hymn of Inc French is from Lamar
tines History Of the Girondins:
The Matseillaise retains the echo Of
song Of victory and also of cry of
death it is glorious as one, dismal as the
other Here is its origin:
There was at that time, (l792) a
young artillery officer in garrison at
S'rasbours. His name was Rplj"t do
L;sle. He was born at Louis Ie Saul
nier, in the Jura, a country of medita>
tion and energy, as are all mnunt;un
districts. This young man loved war
as suliirr, and the Revolution as Il
thinker; ne brguilrd by We ses and mu>
sic the weary impalience OF The ar:isun.
Much sought alter for his dnubl. lalrn,
Of musician and poet, he ff"quented IA
miliarly tho house Of Diet'ech, the
Mayor Of Slra>bourg and patriot Al
satan. Dietrech's wife and daughters
par,ook in bis enthusiasm far patriotism
and the revolution. They loved the
young officer; they gave inspiration TO
his heart, his paetry, his music. They
were tho Gist who performed his scarce
ly unfolded thoughts. full Of confidence
10 the early lispings of his genius.
t!It was in the winter of 1892. Fa.
mine ragged at Strasbourg. Diruech's
house was poor, and his table frugal,
ba' hospitality 'pen to R"ujp, dc L,slc.
The young officer seated himself there
night and morning, like son or broth.
er OF the family. One night there was
only garrison bread and few slices CT
smoked ham on the table; D!eIrech,
looking al De Lise with melancholy
serenity, said =
"Tlere IS lack Of abu dance at
our meals but what matters if there be
no lack Of enthusiasm al our civic fas,i-
walls, or of roulage in the hearts Of our
soldiers ~ have still last bo,tk' Of
wine in my celia. Let it be brought.
said he TO one of his daughters. and le,
US drink it TO liberty and our country.
Strasbourg will snon have 10 celebrate a
patriotic ceremony, and D. Lisle nus,
find in its drops ono of these hymns
winch carry int. the soul of the people
,ha, ia,oxcation from which it has
sprung"
The young girls applauded his words,
brought the vine, and filed the glasses
Of their old father and the young officer
unti | The liquor was exhausted. II was
midnight; the nigh, was cold. d. Lisle
was dreamer; his heart was flecrrd
his b. ad was heated. The cold spiz' d
upon him; with unsteady steps he en- er-
ed his solitary chamber. IIe slowly
sought inspiration, now in the beating Of
his citizen heart, now on the key Of his
piano; now composing the air before
the words, now the words before the
air; and in such manner assoclating
them in his thoughts, that he could not
himself say which was created fist,
music or verses, until it was impossible
to separate the poetry from the express
sion. He sang all, wrote nothing.
Overpowered by this sublime inspira-
tioG, he fell asleep with his head on the
piano, and did mol awake till day. The
song of the night returned to his memory
with difficulty, like the impression ON
sume dream. He wrote down words
and music, and has,ened to Dietrich.
He ipnnd him in his garden digging up
winter tluccs.-Thc old PATRIOTS wife
and daug hers had not yer risen. Die
trech awoke them. and sent for som,.
friends, like himself, passionately fond of
music, and capable of performing it.
Roujet sung, Di",rech's eld st daug ghtpr
accompanied him. a, the first stanza al!
their countenanccs grew palt, at the Sc.
cond tears flowed; at tile las: s'anz,, he
wildness of enthusiasm burs, forth. Di :
trrch's wife and daughters, The old man
hioS"If, his fi.,ds, the young officer,
threw themselves weeping into each 9TH |
er's arms. The hymn of the country
was found!-But, alas! it was also des.
tined 10 be thc hymn oflerror. Unfor,
.unatc Dicu ech,a few months lator, walk