The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-06-16

n
God Save the Queen, Englands favorite,
is reported TO be of French origin, although
the present words, written by Henry Carey,
are the expression of subject to old AL
bion's sway. Conflicting accounts sur
round this lyric, another record shows that
to Germany belongs the honor of its birth;
but the preference between the two peoples,
which one is the parent of a sister coun-
trys national hymn, had better remain un-
given.
The great song of all the Germans, the
"Watch on the Rhine, is the work of
Carl Wilhelm, Bohemian poet of local
renown. Not intended at first for ma
tional poem, it was composed at the request
of one of the authors friends, school
master, who used it as a chorus for his
school upon an occasion when prizes were
distributed TO the pupils. Not long after
he sold the manuscript, and the stanzas be-
coming known, their renown soon spread
throughout all Germany. Everywhere the
famous words
"a roar like thunder strikes the ear
Like clang of arms or breakers near,
Rush forward for the German Rhine
Who shields thee. dear beloved Rhineg'
were heard; but no profit came to the com
poser, who passed his life unaided by any
help from this masterpiece, although his
name now became household word in
every little hamlet of his native land.
France is honored, among the nations,
with possessing the grandest, most stirring
melody of all the national airs which are
sung in these days, if not the greatest ever
written. 1t is the honored and dearly
loved Marseillaise Hymn. Rouget de
e Ise, young army lieutenant, in 1892,
just after his native country had declared
war with Austria, happening to be in the
garrison at Strasburg, was asked by one of
the guests at dinner-who CHANGED to be
acquainted with his musical talents-to
compose something appropriate to an occa-
sion of policical enthusiasm soon to be eel
ebrated. Being an earnest patriot, he was
inspired with the idea, and, retiring to his
room, spent the greater part of the night
upon his task When morning came it
found him asleep, with his instrument
under his head, soft pillow 20 his ex-
hausted and weary brain. The hymn was
reheared before the Mayor of Dietrich, and
from that hour its fame was secured. At
first only six stanzas were written. but as
time passed and it grew in public favor
the number has been more than doubled
by other hands. Upon one occasion, dur
ing the Reign of Terror, the hymn received
baptism-but baptism of blood-that
will always cling to its history. Twenty
two Girondius, sentenced to suffer death at
the hands of the exeeutioner, standing at
the foot of the "engine of death, waiting
for the signal to mount the steps and take
their place in line, commenced to sing this
thrilling song, and continued steadfast in
their effort until at last but one was left,
yet he, with a calmness borne of the brave,
and in clear, unfaltering voice, cried
"Ye sons of France. awake to glory
Hark Hark what myriads bid you rise =!
At length his turn arrived, and only when
the fatal knife fell, was the ''song of lib
erty" heard no more.
Other lands have each their favorite air,
but none have attained the reputation en-
joyed by those mentioned,
The harp that once thro Tara'S halls.
The soul of music shed.
Now hangs as mute on Taras walls
As if that soul were fled;
$50 sleeps the pride of former days
So glory's thrill is DER,
And hearts that once beat high for praise
Now feel the pulse no more"
For ireland Tom Moore wrote this
musical melody, which has become that
islands song of songs, favorite far and
wide.
Across the fields and along the streams,
how often has the words and music of the
Blue Bells of Scotland rose and fell on the
evening air; and then when war carried
away the "Highland laddie, many a
maiden, left alone answered,
"He's gone with streaming banners where noble
deeds are done"
The hymn that Garibaldi's Legion
sang-now Italy's national air-had for
its theme that mighty leaders cry of "All
forward to battle
God Save Kaiser Franz is what Austria
sings, when her subjects, gathered in
mighty crowds shout,
God uphold thee, mighty Emperor
Monarch of our Eastern Land"
And now, the last, we see Sweden,
whose hardy children of the north are
taught to cry in rough and ''runic measure
the glory of their home, the sister to the
"l.and of the Midnight Sun.