Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-21
Kemp's Old Folks.

We feel like crlticlslng the performances OF
the so-caled g Old Folks " sharply. We went
with willing fec; to hear them, and they dis
appointed us. They promised US wheatani gave
US only chat; they attracted Us with the scent
Of pure Java, bl, geve Us only ohiccory and dan
dellon to drink From beginning to end there
was A triAing with public expectation which
merits oensure The bills said twenty Two per-
formers-though only sixteen, including some
fresh recruits from Mortified and Montpelier,
appeared
We used to hear the old tunes, as they are
called, in our boyhood and loved them as we
loved no Others. We recall the sound Of The soft
and mellow counter, which our mother sang as
distinctly as if she were singing at our side this
morning and the pure and blending bass which
our father sang, as wildly as if he had to-day
repeated some familiar strain to us from bis home
in the skies and the tenor Of the reyered ohorls
ter, - Noghbor Morris, 80 clear, 80 resonant
and so earnest with religious JUNCTION, while he
stood, clean-shsven and in simple dress, and beat
the time, not with gold-tipped baton, but with
his broad and honest palm. We expected to live
these things over again We desired it-but no
not BIT of it, We heard instead Of it, few
of the old tunes, though not the best of them
forced and hurried through as if the performer,
had " entered for grand trial Of speed anC
strength. 4" For the benefit Of the young,
however, we will state that our parents anC
grandparents sang this sou-stirring music IL
no such manner. They rather aimed at devo,
ton and reverence and one whose voice was
not true to key as summer and autumn to the
year, and pure as the soug Of birds, was mo-
regarded rs fit to sing at all In comparison
with such voices and ears, coupled with the
greatest simplicity Of. manner, think of the
noise, the bluster and the parade of Monday snC
Tuesday evenings last.
But VIC were further disappointed in the pro
gramme with which the famed "0ld Folks y
favored us. 1t might have answered for single
entertainment but why repeat it when SO much
that is better was omitted. Who would think
his repertoire Of old tunes complete when Maj
esty and Ocean" with their splendid harmo.
MES and spirited melodies were left out? Why
was "Denmsrk "-that grandest Of all old music
omitted? Where were those touching notes
Of solitude and grief, in which the "Sparrow
tells her moan z" Alb our mothers voice
AGAIN We hear it echoed through the passage
Of years, sounding the same as when one fore
noon, long gone by, she paused in her work al
the spinning wheel, and sang for our especial
pleasure the sweet melodies If this pensive and
charming composition. And that other compo-
sition, 50 dear to and 50 interviewer with the
tender memories which cluster about the Chris
tan name, -" The Dying Christian why
was not that given The answer is plain OF
at least SO far as relates to the last three which
we have named. The penchant Of these Old
Folks - for that which il merely boisterou:
and snowy, iorbida that they should find any
pleasure IN the tender brea;hings and delicate
harmonies OF these pieces.
We have written these things more in grief
than otherwise. We love and revere the old
tunes as We love and revere everything else old
and good, and which has become part Of the
history Of our fathers times. But We would
have them produced IN the most revetent and
devout manner. They should in no tespeo. be
carlcatured, but held as tender and valued souy-
enirs from noble race Of true and pious men
who have gone before US. They should be given
With urfeigned simplicity and earnestness and
without oslentation. We would have their sim
pie cOunterpont unmixed with overmuch Of
brass accompaniment, and above all should the
performers be dismantled Of those trappings
which attract the gaze oil oilers, and the per.
lormaaces freed from that bufoonery which
provokes the laughter OF fools. Originally
written not Tor purposes of gain, but as the
outgushng of purely religious emotion, and
severest test, let them be jealously guarded
against every innovation, and, il possible, saved
from that impiely which would reduce them tc
level with the yulgares minstrelsy OF thest
times. Young men in wigs, singing " fol
twenty-five cents admittance - children hal
price," poorly personiiy our venerable fathers
singing " with the spirit and with the under
standing" for the holy purposes Of Christian
devotion.