The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-13
PORTS OF ONE POEM.
Those Who Have Sung One Song and Died
Origin of sonse Popular Poeas.

| Those who Have sung One Song and Died
Origin of sonse Popular Poems
"Sng many songs that thou mayest be re-
membered. lisa xiii: IL.
This is rather satire than 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 q world of useless labor
for fame by striking twelve the first
| time. Somewhat like the following, the
author and his best production, have
found q Judgment in our minds:
Henry Carey-God Save the King.
Hopkins-Hail Columbia.
Key-Star Spangled Banner.
John Howard Payne-Home, Sweet
Home.
Chas. Wolre-BuriaI of Sir John
Moore.
Chss. Kingsley--The Tires Fishers
Edgar A. Poe-The Raven.
Tom Hood-The Song of the Shirt.
Julia Ward HOwe-B Battle Hymn o.
the Republic.
Bret harte-The Heather Chinee.
The history of some 81 the poem.
which have immortslised their authors
will be found interesting.
Hoods touching lyric. "The Song Of
1 TIE Shirt" wss the work of an evening.
Its author was prompted to write it by
| the condition OF thousands of working
women Of London. The effect o its pro-
duction was foreseen by two persons, the
poets wife, and Mark Lemon, the editor
of Punch.
Now mind, Tom; mind my words, u
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 poem, which the writer said had
been rej6cted by three London journals.
He begged the editor to consign it to the
waste-paper basket if 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 snd principal cOntribu'
tors, several OF whom opposed its publi>
cation IS unsuitable TO the pages of a
comic journal. Mr.. Lemon, however,
was 80 firmly impressed with its beauty
that he published it on December 16.
1913.
"The Song of the Shirt trebled the
sale of the paper and created profound
sensation throughout Great Britain.
People of every class were moved by it.
1t was chanted by bAllsd 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: He sang the Song of the
Snirt."
The Old Oaken Bucket" was written
fifty or more years ago by printer
named Samuel Woodwork. He was in
the babit of dropping into noted drink
ing saloon, kept by one Mallory. One
day, after drinking a glass Of brandy and
water, he smacked his lips and declared
that Nallory'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 estimstions far surpassed this"
"What was that ?" incredulously
o,LoJ NUoojuaStd
"The fresh spring water we used to
drink from the bid oaken bucket thai
hung in the we'll, otter retaining from
the fields on sultry day."
every true" replied Woodwork,
teardrops glistening in bis eyes.
Returning to his printing ozce, he
seated himself st his desk and began to
write. In half an hour
1.-The old saken bucket, the mOn-bound
bucket,
The moss, covered bucket which hung in the
WELL"
was embalmed i'd sn inspiring song thai
has become IS familiar as q household
word.
Mr. Kingsley's song Of 1.-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 CIevelly'
His father was TIE clergyman OF the
parish, and such was his sympathy VIII
! 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 then
anxious mothers, wives, sisters ant
sweethearta would join in singing tn
prsyer-book version OF the 31sl psalm
" Sheltered beneath the Almighty's wings
Thou shalt securely rest"
l. was sung as only. those csn SIM
who with stout hearts go out, becaus
II is their duty, to danger aud 20 death
It wss one evening atUer being wearle
and worn out by the work and triais G
the dav. that Kingsley wrcOe the son
which reproduced the scenes Of HI
youthful days.
g ybrea fishers went sailing cut into the ives
Ont into the west, as the sun went down.
Authors do not always appreciat
their good work. We sll have enjoye
CampbelPs RoheDlilden," and ever
school boy has shouted:
"TEa combat deerens on We brave,
Who rush to glory or the grave J"
Yet Campbell did not know whetht
this fine ballad wss worthy of publlci
; ton. He and Sir Walter Scott wei
oaoe travelling in a stage coach, and,
they were alone, they repeated poetry,
! order &c beguile the time. At LAST SEQ
: asked Campbell to repeat some of h
own poetry. Campbell said there vi
. one thing he had written, but neV'
9 y. L. - eli oE il dEurna on