Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-27
French Patriotic songs.

A writer in the London Quarterly Review
maintains that the patriotic songs of the French
differ from those of other nations in one impor-
tsnt particular, namely they generally owe
their origin to civil disturbances and party con-
flicts, and, therefore, fail to express genuine
loyalty to the nation. They speak only for the
France of some party or class. "Hence it comes
to pass that the French songs which express the
patriotism Of to-day, often symbolic the treason
of TO morrow" They mark the succession of
controlling influences in French politics. This
gives them a certain historic value, but makes
them the songs of parties and factions rather
than genuine national songs which can rouse
the feelings of patriotism in all classes.
This judgment may be too sweeping; but it is
not wholly wrong. We can not easily specify
French songs that may be described as excep-
tions to what this writer sets forth as the rule.
The author Of La Marseillase" intended to
write a national song. He did not write this
song for the reyolutionists, but for the army OF
Louis XVI in expectation Of war with Austria.
He was an officer in that army, stationed at
Srasbourg where the song was written; and he
called it la Chant de Guerre de PArmee du
r lin, 1.-THE War Song of the Army of the
Rhine" Ii was not called ola Marseaise" un.
til 1t was sung by the company brought to Paris
from Marseiles, by BaIbaroux, on their entry
into the city. But, Rouget de rlsle, although
rnyalist the time, was not free from an influence
Of the new spirit then at work IN France, and,
without intending it, he wrote a song which the
reVolutionists transformed in purpose, as well as
in name, and used as one OF the grandest agencies
of their movement. 1t became one of the most
inspiring revolutionary songs ever written. On
account of the special significance it had ac-
q Tired among the people, it was suppressed by
Napoleon Bon7parte, by the restored Bourbons,
and by Louis Napoleon, after his coup d'etat
There Is in French nothing whatever that may |
be compared with the English National An
them, nothing that has come down from the |
past so intensely national in character and so
little Deepen lem on any phase of political change
for its inspiration, that it can be adopted with
out II serve and sung, by Frenchmen of all par
tics and classes. Many very spirited songs were
written during the wars Of the first French revo-
luton; such as ale Chart du Depart" and |
81. Reyeil du Peuple." The revolution pro,
ducrd, also, the famous "Carmagnoles," and |
~ AiS III hblNu AnG hOINs5 it bOH lculDo IL 1
viendra," suggest that Mckay was familiar |
with it before his lines about 1.-THE Good Time |
Comm" were written The english Dance |
written in the time of the first Napoleon, ex-
pressed sentiments towards England which |
most Frenchmen have shared; but the France
1t celebrated was the Frlnce which hated Pitt
and delighted to see B)naparte direct "Les
figures Franchises" According to the song,
" Aliemande" being finished, LA Anglaise"
would begin with him as chief director. This
song was not current durin the second empire
The later French revolutions revived the old
songs ami gave birth to some new ones; but tn
new like the old were songs filled with the pas
sions Of the moment In 1880 came out ia
fArsienne, which, although popullr at the
time, Is Justly described as feeble attempt TO
initiate La Marseilaise" In its France, not
much is recognized beyond the Paris mob of
"reds and their cry, ode gloirel" In 1S4s there
came another ''RGveil du Peuple," and, among
other things, "1he Songof the Girondins" For
more than three-quarters of century, France
has been a political volcano, whose eruptions
have nlcd the country, and, sometimes, all
western Europe, with fire and smoke. French
sonG-wrters have not been moved TO Use above
the factions and produce lyrics which could be
sung at all times, by the whole nation.
The battle b ween France and Germany was
fought Yehementy in songs, before it was de-
clarcd so w4ntonly by Louis Napoleon Some
Of thr German lyrics are known in this country.
Some Of the sharpest, on both sides were written
nearly thirty years ago. In 1871, Nicklas Beck
ePs very popular GRIMM song, you shall not
have the German Rhine" was answered by De
Mussei, in tue best style of arrogant French
eEotism. In this Lyric, ID Musset boosted Of
the "oeep marks" which French "horse-hoofs
mad troddeu in the gore-wtt clay OF Germany.
"If you have forgotten us, he says, eve live in
the memory Of your maiiens;" and we have
had your German R1ine already; il it be yours
now, wash your livery in it;" and so on. THIS
oatIie, occasiJned by memories OF the French III
Tasion Of Germany, proceeded from words to
blows. 1t has been fought olt, and will not be
renewed Immediately.
The French SOM, "Partant -Four la Syrie,"
has been called The "Napoleonic AntheIn;" but
we raD not see why, save that the music was
composed by Queen Hortense. Il is a loosely
"ntien song Of mere love and glory--Of
youth who, 6led with desire 70 BE- the most
valiant aud love the most beautiful, departed
lot eyrla' won Immortal glory" married the
daughter o. his feudal lord, and was supremacy
happy during the resi- OF his life. The II additions
Of Napoleon and the empire were most effective
~ celebrated by Belauser, the prince Of French
song wrhers His inspiring lyrics did more
than anything else, 10 keep alive that popular
'husiasm for the great Napoleon. which Anal.
torcd the BonaPartes and gave France