The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-05-07
FOUR AMERICAN SONGS.
TWO WERE WRITTEN m CATTLE
AND TWO DURING PEACE.

TWO WERE WRITTEN m BATTLE
AND TWO DURING PEACE.
Oas &C Them Avsrtsd y War The
Sources Of Inspiration of the -Four
wrisers-strange Pact About the Musie
of "Auersea SLOW Key Composed
his Lyric.
The four great lyrics Of our country
are Columbia, the Gem Of the Ocean
Hail Columbia" 1.-THE Star Spanglel
Banner" and America
The first named was written by Tim
othy Dwight, ancestor OF Timothy |
Dwight, the present president Of Yale
college. He wrote other patriotic ar
thems, but Columbia Is the only one
by which he became famous. Dwight /
was q native Of Massachusetts, and n
graduate Of Yale.
He studied law, intending TO adopt il
rs profession. but there being a dearth
Of chaplains in the Revolutionary army
he became one in Parsons brigade Of the
Connecticut line and served some time
there. Il was during this service that
he composed the immortal song "Colum
bia, which at once attracted general at
tention, and from the first became IA
nous.
10 was composed without much /
thought, the times being full Of patriotic
feelings, which inspired the poet, and he
IL said 10 have expected no more than
passing fame for his production. 1t was
caught up. however, by the patriots, and
soon became known throughout the
struggling colonies After the war
Dwight went back to the pursuits inter
rupted by his entering the army, and
eventually became president Of Yale
college, q position which he held until
his death in 1917.
The author Of "Columbia- was a vol |
luminous writer, turning out many ex-
tended poems and books, but all seem
to have been forgotten but the great
lyric which he gave to his country dur
ing the struggle for freedom. Il will
ever remain his monument.
SONG THAT TOLD.
The words and music of Hail Column
bia" were composed under the American
Gag Its Anihor, Joseph Hopkinson, was
q native Of Philadelphia and the son Of
q sgner Of the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. Like the composer Of "ColuH-
bia, he was the anthOr Of many other
things in prose and verse, but nothing
has come down TO our day with any
fame but his national song.
"Hail Columbia" was written in the
GUNNER Of 1893, when we were having
complications with France which threat
ened to end in war. HOpkinsOn had m
actor friend named Fox, who was TO
have . benefit at q theater, and IL was
for him that the song was composed.
The music which accompanied the
song. and 10 which il Is sung today, was
originally the Presidents March,"
which was written ten years before, on
the occasion OF WashingtOn's visit 10
New York, by q German orchestra lead
" named Fyles. Hail Columbia"
sprsns into sudden popularity, and il is
said 10 have ayerted the threatened war,
as Il melted national pride and roused
the whole country.
Joseph Hopkinson lived until is42, fill
ing various important Offices and loved
by all for the great song he had given to
Ids nation. He helped to revise the CON
ttitutiOn Of Pennsylvania, was n warm
friend Of Joseph BOnaparts's during the
ex kings sOjOurn in this country. and az
the time Of his death was holding the
Office Of United States judge for the
eastern district Of his native state.
INSPIRED BY BATTLE SMOKE.
OF ths many national song writer's
none have enjoyed more enduring fame
than the author VI THE Star Spangle,l
Banner" Il is perhaps the greatest and
.nost popular Of all our songs and lyrics.
il was composed amid the roar Of can
non and the bursting % bombs. and
seems TO have sprung without effort frOm
the mind of its author.
Francis Scott Key, the author, was a
prisoner In the hands Of the British when
the song was composed. He had gone
down the bay at Baltimore, then being
attacked by the British feet, for the pur-
pose VI occurring the release OF n friend
who was held by the enfIny. He carried
. message from President Madison ssk
ing for the prisoners release. The Brit
ish commander agreed TO the request,
but told Key that he must be detained
during the attack. Key and his friends
were therefore held back, and Il was
while they watched the terrific lombard
inent OF Fort McHenry, now and then
losing sight Of the nag that waved over
its ramprts, that he wrote The Star
Spangled Banner" This took place in
,6lI
When he was released Key took his ,
poem back TO the city, where 1t was
speedily printed 10 the music Of an old
English song, "AnacreOn in Heaven"
and in short time was being sung all
over the country.
Dr.. Smiths beautiful ode America
was also adapted TO an English air, that
Of God Save the Queen" Strange to :
relate. this same melody answers for the
national song Of the German empire.
Great Britain and ireland, Bavaria,
Switzerland, Brunswick, HANOVER. Nor &
way, Prussia, SaxOny, and does service
in the United States as "My Country.
lis of Thee
HAmerica" has no stirring history sur
its composition. II was com,
posed In 1889, and was first sung at q
childrens celebration at the Park Street 4
church, Boston, on the Fourth Of July
the same year. Samuel Francis Smith. :
its author, IL still living. He Is q native =
u Massachusetts,, where he was born in
1903. His lannon's missionary hymn,
THE Morning Light Is Breaking" was !.
written at the same time and place as ,
America" Dr.. Smith has filed many &
important stations In the church, and ?
has written voluminOusly, his contribu- 4
lions embracing nearly every branch Of =
good hteIatuFs.-New York Telegram. I