The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-06-27
esHome, SHeet -Home.v

John Il Payne, the author of that touching
and immortal song, "Home, Sweet Home" was
not only poor in pocket, but homeless wan
derer. In conversation with friend, he once
gave expression to the following recital:
elbow Often" said he, shave been In the
heart of Paris; Berlin, and London, or some
other city, and heard persons playing "Sweet
Home," without shilling to buy the next
meal, or place to lay my head. The world
has literally sung my song until every heart is
familiar with its melody. My country has
turned me ruthlessly from office, andin my old
age have to submit to humiliation for my
daily bread" $4,000
He had the most exact and beautiful express
sion of the hearts emotion regarding home,
and yet personally he was g stranger to all its;
tender, loving influences. A wanderer, and
sometimes Yagabond, he has moved the hui
man heart to its very depths by his exquisite
lines
Disguised with his treatment in his own
country, and still impelled by his disposition
to roam, his only wish was to die in foreign
land, and to be buried by strangers, and sleep
in obscurity. he obtained an appointment as
United States Consul at Tunis, where he died.
We now turn to period antecedent to the
composition of his song. At times he was
greatly depressed, and seemed to feel most
called to see him, and on entering said:
"How arc you to-day, Payne2"
"Down-hearted enough" was the reply; "but
last night had one of the most glorious visions
in dream, that ever met mortal eye"
"Ah, indeed, what was it?"
"Well, 1 will tell you. l suppose you think
it is O scene of vast wealth, OF a palace, or
something else of that kind that mans desires
are set upon. 1t was nothing of the kind.
don't often have dreams, but when do they
impress me greatly. In this dream, I was in
home of most transcendent rural peaceful
ness and beauty. 1t was all chat poet and
painter could imagine. The landscape was
composed of gentle, rolling hills, and sweet,
still valleys with meandering streams. There
were flowers and birds, crops, aocks and herds.
In the midst of this stood various habitations
of men, women and children, and l heard
pleasant voices, laughter, music and song"
"Truly, a beautiful picture of human con-
tentment" said the friend.
'The lifelong imagery Of my BRAIN" cried
the poet, "of home, sweet home. Ah, how my
soul reyeled in the picture But gradually it
faded from my sight was transfxed.
strained my vision to catch its outlines as they
grew fainter and fainter but at last it had
faded away. then looked up, and saw dark
cloud gathering, which grew dark and terrible.
"Ah,' said l, that cloud is significant of my
own lot
GAS said these words, saw traced upon it
in burning letters these words of the Almighty
to another miserable man:
"A fugitive and vagabond shalt thou be on
earthp
"In terror, recognized my doom, and awoke
/ to find it both dream and q sad reality"
The unhappy man buried his face in his
hands, and for some time he seemed in the
deepest misery.
"a very wonderful DREAM" said his COM
panion. -,
said Payne, looking up "I'll tell you. I've
been thinking great deal over the matter, and
Home The picture Of my dream shall be my
inspiration for the task, and my lonely heart
will give touching pathos to my words"
Not long after, the song of aHome, Sweet
Home" was given to the world by John Howard
PAYNE.