Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-05-16
FOUR AMERICAN SONGS.
TWO WERE WRITTEN IN BATTLE
AND TWO DURING PEACE.

Writers-Stranee Fact About the Mus
His Lyric.
The four great lyrics of our countr
are Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
"Haii Columbia" "The Star Spangle
Banner" and America"
The first named was written by Tin
othy Dwight, ancestor of Timoth
Dwight, the present president of Yal
college. He wrote other patriotic al
thems, but Columbia" is the only on
by which he became famous. Dwigh
was native of Massachusetts, and
graduate of Yale.
He studied law, intending to adopt
rs a profession. but there being a desrt
of chaplains in the Revolutionary arm
he became one in Parsons brigade of tn
Connecticut line and served some tim
there. 1t was during this service tina
he composed the immortal song "Colum
bia," which at once attracted general al
tention, and from the first became IA
nous.
1t was composed without nue.
thought, the times being full of patriot
feelings, which inspired the poet, and b
Is said to have expected no more thai
passing fame for his production. 1t wa
caught up. however, by the patriots, an
coon became known throughout TN
struggling colonies. After the wa
| Dwight went back to the pursuits inter
rupted by his entering the army, ant
eventually became president of Yal
college, position which he held unit
his death in 1917.
The author of Columbia" was a vol
| luminous writer, turning out many ex
tended poems and books, but all seen
to have been forgotten but the grea
lyric which he gave to his country dur
ing the struggle for freedom. 1t vii
ever remain his monument.
A SONG THAT TOLD.
The words and music of Hail Colum
bia" were composed under the American
flag. Its author, Joseph Hopkinson, wa.
q native of Philadelphia and the son o.
signer of the Declaration of Independ
ence. Like the composer of "Colum
bia,n he was the author of many othel
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
summer of 1898, when we were having
complications with France which threat
ened to end in war. Hopkinson had al
actor friend named Fox, who was tC
have benefit at theater, and it Wa:
for him that the song was composed.
The music which accompanied the
song, and to which it is sung today, was
originally the presidents March,
which was written ten years before, On
the occasion of Washington's visit tc
New York, by German orchestra lead
er named Fvles. Hail Columbia
sprang into sudden popularity, and it is
said 10 have averted the threatened war,
as it melted national pride and reused
the whole country.
Joseph HcpSinson lived until 1912, fill
ing various important Offices and loved
by all for the great song he had given tC
his nation. lie helped to revise the con-
sti,ution Of Pennsylvania, was a warm
friend Of Joseph Bonaparte's during the
e1-king's sojourn in this country. and al;
the time of his death was holding the
Office of United States judge for the
eastern district Of his native state.
INSPIRED BIZ BATTLE SMOKE.
OF the many national song writers
none have enjoyed more enduring fame
than the author of THE Star Spangled
Banner" 1t is perhaps the greatest anG
most popular Of all our songs and lyrics.
Ii was composed amid the roar of can
non and the bursting of bombs. and
seems to have sprung without effort from
the mind of its author.
Francis Scott Key, the author, was n
prisoner in the hands of the British whel
the song was composed. He had gone
down the bay at Baltimore, then being
attacked by the British feet, for the pur.
pose of securing the release of q friend
who was held by the enemy. He carried
message from President Madison ask
ing for the prisoners release. The Brit
ism commander agreed to the request
out told Key that he must be detained
dEring the attack. Key and his friend:
wers therefore held back, and it wa.
While they watched the terrific lombard
ment of Fort McHenry, now and ther
losing sight Of the flag that waved ovel
it's ramparts, that he wrote The StaI
Spanglei Banner" This took place il,
1914.
When he was released Key took hi.
poem back TO the city, where it wa.
speedily printed to the music of an ol;
English song. "Anacreon in Heaven,
and ia short time was being sung al
over the country.
DR.. Smiths beautiful ode "America
was also adapted to an English air, thai
of God Save the Queen" Strange t,
relate. this same melody answers for tho
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"
America mas no stirring history sur
rounding its composition. 1t was com.
posed in 1882, and was first sung at;
chldren's celebration at the Park Stree,
church, Boston, on the Fourth of Jul.
the same year. Samuel Francis Smith
its author, is still living. He is native
OF Massachusetts,, where he was born il
1868. His famous missionary hymn
Tine Morning Light Is Breaking, wa
written at the same time and place q.
America" DR.. Smith has filled many
important stations in the church, anC
has written unanimously, his contribu
tions embracing nearly every branch OF
good literature.-New York Telegram
HS Aas None of the symptoms.
Maud-Does Jack play football much.