Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-01-08
THE EVENING STAR.
TUESDAY
. January -, ISIS.
UELSH SINGING.

Glanced 10 pass one evening. In the Christ
mas time. AZ country inn in a little Carmar-
thth>llfe village remote from RAILWAYS ter
tam ManderingS through green lanes and the
lanes were still green, although IL was cold
mid winter Neaiher) had brought me 20 the
place NJ DUSK, and, being weary, had resolved
Ia resi- there i1r the night. Some local frSliyity
of the season had taken place during the day
which had drawn into the village an unuSusi
number ot farmer folk from the immediats
ncighbOrhOod. After a simple dinner of a
chop and halfpint Of cgrrIr dd good herrl
strolled into what they called the smoke room
by way oil Distinguishing IL from Tho tap room
Ii was a plain little room. with high. backed
wooden SeiteeS against the wall, indeed the
backs reached nearly up To the ceiling and
gave an old fashioned air Of comfort Co tho
room which no amount of gliding and mirrors
could possibly impart. Two or three farmers
We're sitting there drinking their beer and
smoking their pipes. and toasting their trous-
eTless Shins before the blazing fire PRESENTS
Welsh harper with his harp entered from out
doors, and, seating himself i'm a corner of the
room, began To tune his instrument. The
room quickly filled up with men and women,
and The air was soon Tceking with tobacco
smoke and music. No drinks but beer and
pop were INDUCED in 10y the company save
that some of the women drank tea: but Rae
chuS never SAN a more genial company. nv
my side sat iovial, cocr-looking man with
a shock of touSled hair. who presently struck
up in loud, clear baritone ringing song
which The harp Immediately took up and fol
lowed. IL WAS evidently a song all present
knew, for they listened to the singer WilS
every manifestation of delight and when the
chorus arrived they Joined i'm with luSty roar
that made the windows rattle The singer
constantly leaned forward in his seat. Swaying
his body aS lac sung, and placed the palm III
ms huge night hand against and under the
edge ot the table before him with an awkward
gesture. that seemed absolutely essential to-
his comiort-aS If he We're holding himself
down IN his seat thus, in opposition 10 an iu-
Stinctlye disposition to rise and dance aud
instead of looking at the company, or az The
ceiling, he looked at the table where he was
holding to Ii. L complimcntcd him on his
singing When his song was done, which seemed
80 crafty him very much; he offered 10 sing
the song over again, in English, II ] would
like: he could sing II in either language
equally well. he said. But, before could ASA
nm 10 begin, some one else was SinE1ng-au
English song this time-with words like these
Thrice welcome, old Christmas, greet thee
With laughter and innocent mirth in thy train,
Let JOY oil the heart. and shine on the brow
While We snatch sweet Kiss meath the mStIetoe-
The miStletOe-hough.
The miStleroe-bough,
Newil snatch a sweet kiss meath the miStIetoe-
bough.''
This song, although it was warmly APP
plauded, did not bring out the choral talent 90
the company, 10 any great extent; il was evil
IDENTITY unfamiliar. But il was quite other
wise with another English song, or AT least a
song IN the English language. sung by the lust
lest farmer lad | ever looked upon-a huge
redfaced, frank looking boy Of eighteen or
twenty-with rouSing Sigor that was really
exciting. This was the chorus. first sung in
solo by the farmer lad:
La G-and or the Cymrn
Dear land of moi fathurZe,
Or - treue-O' Il be trcu-u-Ue
To-the-la-a-ahStli
And StPntOrian was the roar of the rhorus
men and women together, with a heartinesS
and an emphasis which no words can possibly
eAaSSefate. IL was enough To make a mar
wish his grandfather had been a WelshmaU
Just TO hear 1T Wtrt SKIES IN 4 pJlet0ns
Journal for January.