Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-14
SOUTHERN VAR S1NGS.

OOU lHChN w All O.FNUOs
Confederate Music Other Than That of the
Whistling Mimic BaiI-Love Ballads of
the SoIdiers-Patriotism and Lesser SEN
timent as interviewer by the Iari.s of
Dixie.
state Of warfare has always proven
conducive to song. The fiourishing state
of minstrelsy in ages past was largely due
to the war!ike and adventurous spirit of
those times which furnished such abund-
ant themes. On the borders of England
and Scotland, adjoining each other, song
fourished more than in any other part of
those kingdoms, fact which historians
attribute to the martial spirit prevailing
there in consequence of the frequent in
cursions and attacks to which either side
was liable from the other. Ike late war
between the North and the South called
forth quite profusion of songs, some as
ephemeral as summer insects, while others
are worthy of more enduring existence.
I am ashamed to say that Dixie" by
Dan Emmett, was our national song in
the days of the confederacy. 1t did not
possess the slightest artistic merit, nor, on
the other hand, did it possess the charac-
teristic stamp and simple beauty which SO
charm US in some of the genuine negro
melodies, such, for instance. as "Way
Down Upon the Swanee River,' Camp
town Races" or toll the Bell for Lovely
Nell" 1 dare say that Dixie is as credit
able an air as yankee Doodle" 1t was
not war production. 1t was composed
year or two before the war, and the term
''Dixie,'' which was a popular term for the
Southern confederacy, led to its being
adopted as our national air. It's trite and
commonplace character clearly bespeaks
the fact that it was not born of any deep
or imprisoned sentiment, like the thrill
ing Marseillaise, most thrilling of all ma
tional airs, every note of which is stamped
with an impassioned state of national feel
ing of which it was at once the offspring
and exponent.
RANDALL'S MARYLAND. MY MARYLAND."
maryland, my Maryland" by Mr.. Ran
dali, was one OF the first fruits of our war
songs, being brought ont a few months af-
ter the beginning Of the war. It had
great run, and the number of MaryIanders
who focked to the Southern standard sery-
ing to enhance our appreciation oft. The
frequent repetition of the refrain, Mary
land, my Maryland,'' caused an ironical
gentleman of my acquaintance to remark
that his only objection TO the song was
that it did not refer sufficiently often to
the subject. 1 recall only the first verse.
which ran as follows:
The despot's heel is on thy Shore
Maryland, my Nlaryiand
His touch is at thy peoples door,
Maryland, my Ma1yaIid
Avenge the patriotic gore
That fiecked the streets OF Baltimore,
And be the battle-queen of wore,
Maryland, my Maryland
"The Bonnie Blue Flag was very
popular song. So was Just Before the
Battle, Mother ''Let Me Kiss Him for His
Mother (Ordway). and w hen This Cruel
War Is Over the latter composed by Chas
G. Sawyer. 1 Twill transcribe part of the
words of the last-named song, not because
they possess any poetic merit, but simply
as a souvenir of the late war:
WHEN THIS CRUEL WAR IS OVER.
Dearest one, do you remember
When we last did meet,
When You told me how you loved me,
kneeling at my feet?
y, how proud you stood before me.
In your suit OF gray,
When you vowed from and country
Meier TO go asJray.
'CHoRUs-Weoping, sad and lonely,
Signs and tears how vain,
When this cruel war is DER.
Praying then to meet again.
But our country called you, loved one,
Angels guide your way;
While our Southern boys are fighting
We can only pray.
When you strike for God and freedom
Let all nations see
How you love our Southern banner,
Emblem OF the free.
OTHER SONGS.
We borrowed from the federal soldiers
the Tramp, tramp. tramp, the boys are
marching" and with a few trivial changes
it suited our purpose perfectly well. It was
very animated song and sounded really
inspiring with full chorus. Indeed. al
most any song will produce an inspiring
effect sung with a full volume of sound
Farewell forever to The Star-Spangied
Banner" was one of Our war songs; also
''Richmond on the James," in imitation of
DluStA Oll tllc hLlllS oefeTdl DcauU1Iul
songs on other subjects than the war came
out while it was going on. One of these,
by Florence Percy, Rock Me to Sleep,
Mother is so wistful and pathetic that I
cannot resist the temptation of subjoining
the words:
Backward, turn backward, time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for the night;
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore,
hiss from my forehead the turrow OF care,
Smooth the few silver threads out Of my hair
Over my slunlbers your loving watch keep,
Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep.
Backward, flow backward, the tide of years,
ara so weary of toll and Of tears,
Toll without recompense. tears all in vain,
Take them and give me my childhood again.
have grown weary of dust ard decay
Weary of finging my soul wealth away,
Weary OF sowing for Others to reap;
Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep.
Tired of the hollow the base and untrue