The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-25
TWO QUAINT OLD SONGS.
Story or ''The Old sexton"-Another OF the
Earlier Ballads.


Mrs. Emma Cox sends us the words OF
two Quaint old songs which are worth re-
producing for the benefit of our readers.
We should be glad to hear from any one
possessing an old song, with brief his
tory of its authorship.
The first old ballad is called "The Sex
ton"
Like many another beautiful poem, the
authorship OF 1.-The Sexton" has been
claimed by many. 1t was written by
George II. Look, a young lawyer OF
Greensburgh, this state. He wrote many
excellent poems, but was so modest
withal that his name was never given to
the public in any instance, although
inquiries were many as to who wrote
"The Sexton" Soon after his death,
which occurred early in the sixties, the
song came out with words by II. Russell,
but the stanzas were not given IN the
original order and as few words were
changed, we presume that ID what gave
Mr.. Russell the right to claim 1t.
We have this information from an &C
quaintance of Mr.. Look, to whom he had
given written copy OF the poem, at the
end of which he wrote: "My friend will
please not read this in public nor give the
name OF lJS dulnOT.
The following explanation was given
with this poem, which is a copy from the
original manuscript:
'The foregoing lines were composed IN
a cemetery. They were suggested TO the
author upon approaching a newly made
grave, near to which stood the sexton, an
old man, leaning upon his spade, and
funeral train approaching to deposit the
remains OF young and beautiful lady.
Nigh to a grave that was newly made
Leaned sexton old on his earth-worn spade.
His teak done, and he paused TO wait
The funeral train through the open cato.
relic of by gone days was he,
And his locks were as white as foamy sea,
And these words came forth from his lips so thin;
Igsther them in, gather them In.
Many are with me, yet still Tn alone,
I'm king of the dead, and make my throne
On monument slab of marble cold,
And my sc-ptre OF rule is the spade hold.
I've builded the houses that lie around,
In every nook of this burial ground;
But come they stranger or come they kin,
Igather them in, gather them in.
gather them in b5th man aud boy,
Year after year, OF grief or JOY.
Mothe< and daughter, father and son,
Come my solitude one by one.
Come they from cottage or come they from hall.
Mankind are my subjects, all. all, all.
Let them lOiter IN pleasure or toilfully spin,
gather them in. gather them in.
gather them in and their final rest
Is here, down here in the earth's dark breast.
The sexton ceased, for the funeral train
Wound mutey over that solemn plain,
And l said in my heart when time Is told
A mightier voice than that sections old
Shall sound o. er the last trumps dreadful din,
gather them in. Igather them in.
The following are the words of a song
that was popular when the nineteenth
century was young, but who the author or
when composed is not known. 1t is ingeni-
ousIy put together, for if you want to adj
voca;e the ladies' cause, read the first and
third lines, then the second and fourth of
each stanza:
MATRIMONY.
That man must lead a happy life,
Who's free from matr lmOniai claims,
Who is directed by a wife,
Is sure to suffer for his pains.
Adam could nd no solid peace,
When Eve given for a mate,
Until he saw q w0mans lace,
Adam was in happy state.
In the female face appear,
Hypocrisy, deceit and pride;
Truth, darling, OF heart sincere,
Neer's known in woman 10 reside.
What tongue Is able to unfold
The falsehoods that in woman dwell,
The worth Of woman we behold,
Is almost imperceptible.
Cursed be the foolish man. say,
Who changes from his singleness,
Who will not yield TO woman'ssway,
Is sure Of perfect blessedness.
That Was n Song of Sixpence.