Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-07-01
SONG WRITERS.
HOW SOME OF THE FAMOUS SONGS WE'RE
WRITTEN.
APssk-a-BOO" Brought Thiry-six thousand Dollars
to is OOmpOsar-Ths First Song on Rec
ord Psnnsd by lis Author Ona
Plank Fence.
Charles z: Adams in petooa Free frsss.

CHARTS F. Adams in Detroit Free Press.
To readers fond Of literary topics few
subjects are of greater interest than the
circumstances attending the composition
of their favorite poems and ballads. But
while this information rs regards poetry is
quite plenty, our knowledge of song-writers
and their methods is comparatively
meagre. Almost the only exception to the
usual obseurity of song writers is John
Howard Payne, of whom more has prob
ably been written and printed than of all
others combined. Nevertheless, as much
that had appeared in relation to his famous
song, ''Home, Sweet Home" has been
purely imaginary, we may perhaps be par
doned if we introduce here the true story
of the composition of this far-famed
melody.
1t was in Italy that Payne first heard
the air for which his song was written. As
he was strolliDg one morning along quiet
country road he was struck by the sweet
voice of PEASANT girl who was carrying
to the city basket laden with flowers and
fruit. The plsintive air which she trilled
with 30 much sweetness and simplicity at
once caught his fancy. He accosted her,
and after o few moments conversation
asked the name of the song, which she was
unable to give However, using his
knowledge OF music TO good purpose, he
requested her TO repeat the air, while he
proceeded TO write down the notes. He
soon afterwards composed the words, and
with the aid of musician named Bishop
welded them to the Italian air, incor-
poratiug the song into his opera OF
"CIari," which soon gave it worldwide
fame.
1t ia unnecessary here to rehearse the
subsequent history Of this song or Its
author. 1t is sufficient to say that the
song made the fortune of every one con-
nected with it except its composer, who
not only lost the payment he should have
had for the copyright, but was not even
complimented with copy of the music by
the publisher, who made over 2, 900 guineas
by the immense number oil copies he print
ed and sold.
1uc pOPuidI AulpACSSioA thoS VIZ ooehoi
of Home, Sweet Home" was without
home or friends, that he wandered friend
less and forsaken through the streets Of for
eign cities, hearing his song sung in happy
homes while he himself was homeless and
unknown, is very affecting, but has little
foundation in fact. Payne was cOsmopoli-
tan from choice, and had many friends
among the leading authors and actors OF
his day, who loved him for his kindness OF
heart and his many personal attractions.
1t is true that he experienced more than
his share of the pecuniary misfortunes so
common TO his profession while abroad,
but his early life in America wss more
than ordinarily pleasant and prosperous.
The only rival to "Horne, Sweet Home, "
is C. s. Fosters "O,d Folks at Home" As
musical critic has Justly said, had be not
made the words of the song local by intro
duciug the Suanee river, it might we'll
hsveeGualled the former as the home song
of the world.
Stephen Collins Foster was strangely
retiring and diffident author, and some OF
his most beautiful songs were composed
under the most homogeneous conditions. A
writer who met him in New York in 1852
says that his fsvorite haunt was in tum-
ble-down grocery near the Bowery, in the
little back room of which one, at least, OF
his famous melodies was written. 1t was
not known to which of his songs the writer
referred-it may have been his most noted
one, "rhe Old Folks at Home" or My
Old Kentucky Home" which William
Cullen Bryant thought worthy Of includ-
inc in his Library of, Poetry and Song
poser, and wrote both the words and music
of all his songs. His most artistic compO-
sition was the charming serenade, Come
where my love lies dreaming" which was
sony at his funeral in Pittsburg, Penn, il
January, 1864. In his power to touch the
great heart OF the people and give p4thOs
and charm 20 the simplest theme, he re-
mains unrivalled among American song
writers.
1t il said that the methods of Frank
Howard, the successful author of "Only a
PAusv Blossom" aud other songs, are
somewhat peculiar and would astonish
many musicians. Mr.. Howard is negro
minstrel by profession. He writes the
words OF his songs himself, and then, with
the other members of the company, pro-
cseds to drum out on hotel pianos a suit
able air. IL sometimes requires several in
strumGnts and changes of scene TO produce
taking song, which, when completed is
written out and tried upon the audience
in the evening. II the soug pleases, it is
sent to the publisher and put upon the
market. This is certainly an ingenious
system of composition, aud affords an OPP
portunity OF testing ones music, which
gives him an advantage over other song
writer's who are unable to become min
strels
1t would almost seem that in later years
the success of song has been in direct
proportion to the friyolity of it's subject.
The composer, Dexter Smith, is known to
have made several attempts before hitting
the public taste, although he had written
many beautiful verses. Upon one occasion
he took q copy Of very carefully written
composition TO his publisher, end that gen
tlemsn suggested to him that he should
publish il In first-class magazine, admit
ting frankly that it was too good for him
TO make available.
what, then, does the public want?'
queried the astonished author.
Something like this" was the reply,
and the publisher read to him several ex-
tracts from the latest successful ballads.
Smith was disgusted and left the Office.
As in deep reflection he strobe along the
streets OF Boston, he heard an untidy ur-
chin cry out to his mother, "Ssy, ma'am,
put me in my little bed" There is sub.
isct, thought the sopg-writer, and on
reaching home he proceeded to write out
what he considered the fastest song of
which he was capable. The result of his
effort was gladly accepted by the publisher,
and to the poets surprise, seemed equally
to please the public. In short, it was this
song which first made the author famous,
and the sale of 'Put Me in My Little Bed"
soon reached an enormous figure.
Among the favorite songs of our day are
some which have originated under pscu-
liarly curious circumstances. The famil-
lar "Peek-a-Boo," which has now been
worn nearly threadbare, was according to
its author, Mr.. Scanlan, an inspiration Of
the moment. 1t was suggested by the
gsmbols of some children, who were play.
ing around the door where he was sitting.
idly picking out tunes upon an ACCORDION.
As the children peeped curiously into his