Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-21
METAMoKrHosks or OLD SONGS.
An Energetic aud Worldly Dance Tina,
Changed TO a Church HYMN

An Energetic and Worldly Dance That
Changed to a Church HYMN
Boston husiooi H.roAI: There are many
songs which were composed i'm the time of
Charles III, whose music is in vogue TODAY
whose words were OF the most UNANIMOUSLY in
decent description originally. Henry Pur-
cell. to the shame OF that epoch be it said,
brought forth many of these But since even
Shakespeare at times descended 10 She level
OF his age we need not too bitterly
blame the musical genius (the great
est that England produced) for trying TO
earn an occasional shilling by turning out such
wicked musical compositions. Some of the
early English ballads tell of times of persecu-
ton. of bigotry and of intolerance. Naturally
theSe musical works have undergone trans
FORMATION In modern times. but one. The
Jews Daughter" has remained in TACT and tells
OF the murder of Hugh of Lincoln. which took
place a ID. 1855. and was charged upon the
Jews Of Lincoln. OF whom over 200 were
brought to London and tried with torture, for
mythical crucfixion of the unfortunate lad.
The tate of ancient jealousy has come down
70 our times IN the song, 20. Waly. Waly Up
the Bank, which refers TO .he separation OF
Lord jamie Douglas from his wife. Inc orig
mai tale reads much like the plot of
Shakespeares "Othello. for there WAS an Edqo
IN the shape Of a certain Lowrie of Blackwood,
secretary 20 Douglas, and i'm defant Of the fatal
ushohcithfct WiftH Drive important part
in the Shakespearean tragedy this wicked man
placed pair of boots in such wise that the
jealousy of the marquis was aroused and a
pathetic separation followed, Of which few who
sing the song know ANYTHING
Some OF the odd Transformations OF songs are
due TO what must originally have been some
thing very like theft. Thus willie. We Have
Missed u on. Is only a paraphrase of the famous
Scotch song, Jock o Hazeidean" The vet
more celebrated John Anderson, Ny Jo." is
susplcioasiy like when Johnnie Comes March,
Ing Home Again, popular song OF war times
But sometimes these resemblances to the Scotch
munro come about very innocently. Thus a
strathspey changed into loft in the Silly
Night and this is by 10 means a distant rela-
tive to Nearer. NV God. 90 Thee" thus
making a favorite hymn tune first cousin
to an ungodly and very energetic
dance. Such changes might occur
through the unconscious retention of a tune in
the mind, as once happened to Mendessohn
while composing ''Ehjah:" he had heard Aud
ROBIN Gray sung to Leeves tune this popu-
lar melody is not the original tune which went
with the words) and the melody chung to his
memory without his being aware Of the fact
When. therefore, he set the words of 20. Rest
in the Lord TO the extreme horror of the
publisher. he used Leeves' tune without in the
least being conscious of plagiarism. When his
attentlon was drawn to the fact he altered the
melody, but the careful observer will still dis
cover something OF the flavor of Aud Robin
Gray in 20. Rest in the Lord"
Many OF the songs of the German students
have been stolen and reproduced in new gaises
on this side of the Atlantic. MARYLAND Nv
MARYLAND, for example is note for note the
old German song % Tannebaum,' a song in
praise OF fidelity. The simple little song so
OFTEN heard in kindergarten or Sunday school
as 20, Come. Come Away" is one Of the most
pepular Of student songs but in Germany it rep
resents the merits of fiery punch called Cram
bembuH." Our national music is fun OF meta
morphoses akin to those mentioned above,
Yankee Doodle" being old English. 1.-The Star
spaRgled Banner" jovial drinking song and
america the English national anthem. Even
the hymnology is not exempt from these i'm
perfume fesemblances, for .'Son Of NY Soul is
not very far from Mozarts ''Se vuol Ballare f"
and many other instances Of metamorphoses
might be cited. but enough has been noted to
prove that Soiomon's saying There is no new
thing under the sun, may be very strongly APP
Piled to music