The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-10-22
The Egis' & Intelligencer'
REL. AIR, MD, OCTOBER 90. 1869.
Origin oft The Marseillaise. "

The national song of France, which is
perhaps, more vitality connected with the
hearts of her people than that of any other
nation, crew out of the stormy scenes of
the Revolution. Its inspiration was drawn
from those thrilling events which for
several years convulsed France and made
all Europe tremble. 1t was composed in
the winter of 1899, by young soldier
named Rouget de Lisle, who was then sta
toned at garrison in Strasbourg. This
young man was born and reared in Sans lie
Saunier, the capital of Sura, mountainous
province in the east of France. He was by
nature both poet and musician, and the
wild surroundings of his childhood had
lent their powerful aid to his imagination.
When at Strasbourg, his popular talents
made him the delight of the garrison and
many an otherwise slow and weary hour
did he boguile with his attractive impro-
visations. He became intimately acquaint-
ed with certain family in the city, aud
spent much time at the house. This tdmi-
~, although poor, were patriotic, and ad-
mired the martial talents of De Lisle.
They were lovers of music, also, and en-
couraged the songs of the young dreamer.
One day he was seated at the dinner ia
W
BILE and scant. The Revolution was al
ready taking the bread from the people
and here, as elsewhere there was search
ty of food. But there was one bottle of
wine left in the cellar, which the host Or
dered to be brought, that he and De Lisle
might drink to the liberty of France. Late
instrument with him, retired to his room.
Il Tod hu fha I'M ra1 Inv
the stirring events of the Revolution, he
composed the hymn which has ever since
been the key-song of France Our author
ity tells us that De Lisle, carried away by
his inspiration, composed, now the air. and
then the words, passing from one to the
other unconsciously, and combining the
two so inseparably in his mind that he never
knew which was created first. Sleep over
came him at last, and his head fell upon
the instrument. In the morning, when he
awoke from his slumbers, he only dimly
remembered the experience Of the last
night. Recalling his production with diff
ticulty, he transferred it from his brain to
paper, and then rendered it with voice
and harpsichord to his astonished friends.
1t was 'the voice of France, and in short
time the stirring song was upon every lip.
1t was first sung however, by the Mar
seillais, band of savage men, sent by Bar
baroux to aid the Revolution at the capt.
tai. This body as it advanced towards
Paris, spreading CONSERVATION and terror
everywhere was heard to sing the martial
and inspiring notes of new and strange
song. 1t was De Lisle's midnight dream.
The men who first proclaimed it to the ma
ton, amid the tears and blood they caused
to flow, gave to it the name by which it
has been usually known. Afterwards,
when its composer, who although Repub-
lican was prescribed as Royalist, was max
ing his escape from the terrors ofhis coun-
try he heard the echo ofhis own song among
the hills of the Alps. Asking the guide
what that hymn was Called he was told
that it was 1.-THE Marseillaise."
The hymn was soon sung all over France,
and became the inspiration of great and
terrible deeds. 1t was destined to be the
death song of thousands of Frenchmen-
Republicans, like its Republican author
whose heads fell under the axe of guilt
tine. 1t was only chance which saved
De Lisle himself from being borne to the
scoffald to the resembling strains of his
own wonderful composition.