The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-02-17
" Father, Come Home"

This popular song, which has moved
50 many hearts in this country. has
been received with equal favor in
Europe. and 1.-The Staliumcr gives an
account Of the singing Of il in one OF
the music halls OF London. There was
4 stage, gaudy drop-Sccmr. orchestra,
etc. After various performances this
piece WAS announced. The account
SAYS:
Presently female came in front Of
the curtain. amidst great applause. and
commenced. Father" etc. Every
word was distinct and she sang the
brllad with great feeling. In order.
however. to, fully dcscribc the scene
which followed each verse. il is ncccS-
,ary to give little Mary'> song:
" Father, dear father come Ir,n" with III" now,
The clock III The >t""i'l' strikes one! Ni"ng.,
I"u lI"inI>,d. dear ILil"r, ihat You would
cOIII, nome,
N> >".n ;t> your days work was dome.
our iir. has gone "u,-"ur h"u~" Is All dark.
.NId mothers lnr'I watching since lea,
With poor iIli.,' i%'nny "'' sick in he" arms.
.\nl no In help her but me-.
Come huIu,', come home, "nI" home.
rrlN.. father. dear father, come lI"ln".
At the conclusion of the last line the
drup->ccur drew up. disclosing the
iaihrr sitting ut the door OF Il public
house in Il drunken. h"mudIlcd stale.
with pipe and pot before him. Little
Mary was trying to drag him from his
>,?ll. 1T the same time pointing 10 Il
curtain behind. as she took up lhc re-
irain from the lady and t"uchimgiy
SAM. "Cumr home. etc. The other
curtain was now drawn aside. di>rlOS-
i'm" Il wrrtrhul room, with the poor
mother sitting on the ground with !"
>irkly looking boy in her lap, and III
the act OF feeding him with Il spoon.
simultaneously with the dritwing OF
ihr curtain the lime light WAS brought
To hcar upon the lahicauX. irving them
Il truly >lartl;l" effect. After Il mo-
mrnl or two the art-drop came down
and the lady prVcrcdcd:
Father. dear father. come home with M" now
'iIr ri'ri ~ IA" >t"'Ir >iiikc> TWO! l'ions,
G,rig.i
The m.snI has grown colder, nnd iamny is
W,uSr,
Eat Ia. las been cilii;ig for you.
Indeed he i wOr>''. m"Inrr says lie VIII die.
PrInap. b'I"r" III"rnIng shall dawn.
And tins wI~ the III'H>tsr She sent ne l'fIG-
Come uuIrkIy, "r Ir Will he gone.
Come hoIu", come. home. come home,
Please, father, dear i.tilIrr come hoIHr
The acI.Grup r.scS again. and now
the child has hold OF the pcwtc: pot,
trying to take it from the drunken
parent. and. aS she continues the last
TWO lines. "COmc home etc. the 9th
rr curtain is drawn aside. and we next
,.l,tl,l -, - hIp
lap, and rs ii just raises its little head
and falls back with gasp with the
lime light rejecting strongly upon il,
there WAS reality about the whole,
terrible to view. Sobs were heard
from all parts OF the hall, coming from
the female portion Of the audience.
while tears tricklcd down many male
check. Even the lady who sang the
song was affected, and could scarcely
proceed with the third verse.
Father, dear father. come home With me now
The clock. IN the sl,"pIr strkcS Three! Viong
gong, gOnS.D
The house Is so lonely. the hours are M long,
For poor weeping mother anu me.
Yes, We urc nlUnr--IUOr lhnny Ii drnd!
And gone with the angels OF Hight!
And these were the very liLSt words ililt IV
Said--
I want TO kiss pupa-gOnd night!
Como hOin,' com" IInin". ~Inl" home" =,
phnsr, luther, dear father, come home.
Again the drop rose, disclosing little
Mary on her knees, appealing to her
father, who, with pot elevated, Is in
Tie act Of striking her with il, rs she
sings, "Comc home and then the
back curtain draws aside. showing the
mother prayin. over Il child'S coffin.
But now The SOUS burst out still more
freely. and two females were carried
out iainting. The scene was trul" har-
rowing, and We gladly turned our
eyes away.
An additional verse WAS sung about
Poor Benny being with the angels
above. The drop rose; the father, So
Der now, is weeping over the c0iliE
with the mother, and little Mary, on
her knees, singing, "Ilomc. home.
father. dear fathers come homer At
this moment the curtain is drawn
aside, and little Benny is suspended
over the coffin with wings, smiling
down upon them and pointing up
ward. The father falls forward on his
face. act-drop dGscendS, aud for a few
minutes all is hushcd save the sobs OF
the females.
"Thcrc!" said II working man by
our side, rs he hcnvctl n sigh Of relief,
" Mr.. Spuryeon never preached i bot
ter sermon than that ALL expression
to which we as$cntcl. and then left the
halt.
THERE are 80 daily, go weekly, 5
cn,ni mool.Iv ou1 o. nInutl,lv nunnrS