The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-04-13
FAMOUS POPULAR SONGS.
The Authorship and the Circumstances
Under Which They Were Composed.
~ InuiS Renalhlicnn

| Under Which They Were Composed.
81. Louis Republican. -
"Auld Lang Syne" is popularity supposed
tG be the composition OF Burns, but, in fact
he 51ly wrote the second and third verses oi
the ballad as commonly sung, retouching the
Others from an older aud less familiar song.
The "Old Oaken Bucket" was written by
Wsrdsworth, in New York city, during the
hot summer Of 1917. He came into the
house and drank glass of water, and then
said: "How much more refreshing It would
be TO take good long drink from the old
ead oaken bucket that used to hang in my
fathers we'll" His wife suggested that 1t
was happy thought for q poem. He sat
| down and wrote the song as we have it..
"Woodman, Spare That Tree" was the result
Of an incident that happened to George p.
Morris. A friends mother had owned a
little place in the country, which she was
| obliged from poverty to sell. On the prop
erty grew q large oak, which had been
planted by his grandfather. The purchaser
Of the house and land proposed to cut down
the tree, and Morris friend paid him $40
for bond that the oak should be spared.
Morris heard the story, saw the tree, and
wrote the song. soft in the Silly Night"
was produced by Moore after his family had
undergone, apparently every misfortune; one
of his children died young, another went
astray, and third was accidentally killed.
"The Light of Other Days" was written to
be introduced into Bales opera, "The
Maid of Artois;" the opera is forgotten, but
the song still lives, and is as popular as
ever.
Payne wrote "Home, Sweet Home," to
help fill up all opera he was preparing, and
at first IL had but four stanzas. The author
never received anything for 1t, but though
the opera was a failure when played in Con-
vent Garden theater, the song took, and over
100000 copies were sold the first year. In
two years the publishers cleared over $4,000
by the publication, and the variations, tran
scriptions and limitations have been innum-
cradle. The melody is believed TO be a
u
1t in his opera "Anna Bolena." Fosters
sold Folks at Home" was the best song he
ever wrote. Over 100000 copies were sold
by the firm that first published it, and the
author is said to have had $4,000 for his
share in its sale. Christy. the noted minstrsl,
paid $500 for the privilege of having his
name printed on one edition of "Old Folks
at Home" as the author and composer. The
him. Crock Me to Sleep" was written by
Mrs. Allen, of Maine. She was paid s. for
1t, and Russell 4 Co., of Boston, who had in
three years gained $4,000 By its sale, offered
her S. apiece for any songs she might write.
Some years after, when poor widow aud in
need of money, she sent them 4 song which
was promptly rejected. "A Life on the
Ocean Wave" by Enos Sargent, was pro-
nounced a failure by his friends. The copy
right of the song became very valuable,
though Sargent never got anything from it
himself What are the Wild Waves Saying?"
was suggested to DIR. Carpenter by a scene in
Dickens novel, "Dombey Il Son." and the
music was by Glover. "PJor Jack" was from
the pen Of Charles Dobbin, the author of
The Lamplighter." "Pnor Jack" netted
S25, 900 for its publisher, and almost nothing
for the author.
"Stars of the Summer Might" very
famous song, especially for serenaders, was
written by Alfred ii. Pease, the noted pianist,
whose sad death in St. Louis a few months
ago was so greatly deplored by his friends.
Loves Young Dresm" was one Of Moore's
best, but the tune To which it is commonly
sung is from an Irish ballad called "Old |
Woman" Moore sang his owe songs 90
we'll that both the auditors and himself
were moved TO tears. Once when he was
singing this song a lady who heard him
implsred him to step. "For heavens sake,
stop; this is not good for nay soul" "Auld
Robin Gray" was the work of Lady Anne |
Lindsay, who tells a curious story of the |
Of Its composition: 81 called |
to see my little sister, the only person near,
and said, ~ have beer writing ballad, my |
dear, am expressing my heroine with many |
misfortunes. have already sent her jamie |
to the sea, and broken her fathers arm, and |
made her mother fall sick, and given her
Auld Robin Gray for lover, but wish to
load her with fifth sorrow within the four
lines, poor thing. Help me to one. Steal
the cow said the little Elizabeth. The cow
was Immediately lifted by me, and the song
"Kathleen Mavourneen" was
sold by Crouch, the author, for S25, and
brought the publisher as many thousands.
Crouch was compl ,tely improvident, and IN
bis later days became tramp. When Mme.
Titiens was In this country number Of
years ago she sang "Kathleen Mavourneen"
In New York, when dirty tramp introduced
himself as Crouch, was recognized, and
thanked her for singing the song 50 well.
Sonny Doom" was the only English song
he Emperor Napoleon liked. "I'll Hang
My Harp on Willow Tree" is said to have
been written by a young English nobleman
n love with the Princess (now Queen) Vic.
oria. "Annie Laurie" Is two hundred years
Did, and was the production of man named
Douglass to celebrate the praise of girl
iamed Laurie. The lady afterward deserted
he man who made her famous and married
! man named Ferguson.