The Osceola times., 1879-03-15
POETS OF ONE POEM.
Those who Have Suug One Song and Died
Origin OF sonse Popular PO~Im

| biuk many bohSS thut tuou sSot w iS-
| membered. ."..-Isa. xiii: 16.
This is rather a satire than a serious
recipe for securing fame. 1t is more easy
to remember single masterpiece than a
multitude OF splendid things, and great
authors names generally go, in public
mention, with the name Of some single
great work of theirs. 1t is surprising
to find how many people of real merit
have "sung one song and died." They
saved themselves world of useless labor
for fame by striking twelve the first
time. Somewhat like the following, the
author and his best production, have
found lodgment in our minds:
Henry Carey-God Save the King.
Hopkins-Hail Columbia.
Key-Star SpanQled Banner.
John Howard Payne-Home, Sweet
Home.
Chas. Wolte--Burial Of Sir John
Moore.
Chas. Kipgsley-The Three Fishers.
Edgar A. Poe-The Raven.
Tom Hood-The Song of the Shirt.
Julia Ward Howe-Bsttle Hymn of
the Republic.
Bret Harte-The Heather Chinee.
The history of some of the poems
which have inmortalized their authors
will be found interesting.
Hoods touching lyric. The Song Of
the Shirt" was the work of an evening.
Its author was prompted to write 1t by
the condition OF thousands of working
women OF London. The effect its pro-
duction was foreseen by two persons, the
poets wife, and Mark Lemon, the editor
of Punch
"Now mind, Tom; mind my words"
said his devoted wife, "this will tell
wonder ully. It's one of the best things
you ever did,"
Mr.. Lemon, looking over his letters
one morning, opened an envelope inclos>
ing a poem, which the writer said had
been rejected by three London journals
He begged the editor to consign it to the
waste paper basket /. it was not thought
suitable for Punch as the author was
"sick at the sight of it." The poem was
signed Tom Hood, and was entitled the
"Sopg of the Shirt"
| 1t was submitted to the weekly meets
lug of the editors and principal contribu-
tors, several of whom opposed its publi-
cation as unsuitable TO the pages of a
comic journal. Mr.. Lemon, however,
was so firmly impressed with its beauty
that he published 1t on December l6,
1913.
1.-The Song of the Shirt" trebled the
ssle of the paper and created profound
sensation throughout Great Britain.
People of every class were moved by it..
1t was chanted by ballad singers in the
streets of London and drew tears from
the eyes of princes. Several years after
the authors death the English people
erected monument over his grave. The
rich gave guiness, the laborers and sewing
women gave shillings and pence. Sculp-
tured on it is the inscription devised by
himself: 4" He sang the Song Of the
Shirt"
"The Old Oaken Bucket" was written
fifty or more years ago by printer
named Samuel Woodwork. He was in
the babit OF dropping into a noted drink.
ing saloon, kept by one Mallory. One
day, after drinking glass Of brandy and
water, he smacked his lips and declared
that Mallory's brandy was superior to
any drink he had ever tasted.
"No," said Mallory, "you are mis-.
taken. There was drink which in both
our estimations far surpassed this"
"What was that?" incredulously
asked Woodworth.
"The fresh spring water we used to
drink from the old osken bucket that
hung in the well, after returning from
the fields on sultry day"
every true" replied Woodworth,
teardrops glistening in his eyes.
Returning to his printing Office, he
seated himself at his desk and began TO
write. In half an hour
The old eaken bucket, the iron.bound
The moss.covered bucket which hung in the
WELL"
was embalmed in an inspiring song that
has become as familiar as household
word.
Mr.. Kingsley's song of "The Three
Fishers" was not the mere creation OF
his imagination, but the literal transcript
of what he had seen OF " men who worked
and women who wept," while he was a
boy in the fishing village of Clovelly.
His father was the clergyman of the
pari.h, and such was his sympathy " tn
the fishermen that when the herring
feet put to sea, he would hold short
religious service on the wharf.
The hardy men and boys, and their
anxious mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts would join in singing the
prayer-book version Of the 2ls. psalm /:
" Sheltered beneath the Almighty's wings
Thou shalt securely rest"
1t was sung as only those can sing
who with stout hearts 60 out, because
it is their duty, to danger and to death.
1t was one evening after beirg wearied
and worn out by the work and trials OF
the day, that Kingsley wrote the song
which reproduced the scenes Of his
youthful days.
Three fishers went sailing out into the west,
Out into the west, us the sun went down."
Authors do not always appreciate
their good work. We all have enjoyed
CampbelPs Hoheplinden," and every
school boy has shouted:
The combat deepens on ye brave,
Who rush to glory or the grave w
Yet Campbell did not know whether
this ine ballad was worthy OF publica
tion. He and Sir Walter Scott wera