Smyrna times., 1894-05-30
The Old Songs.
WHATEVER THE VOGUE OF A STYLE
IN MUSIC THEY NEVER LOSE
FAVOR.

1t was a hotel parlor, a brilliant |
pianist had Just rendered one of Wag-
ner's most difficult pieces, and a mur-
muir of well bred applause followed.
Then very softly and tenderly, like
sweetly y-tremulous old voice reciting
pathetic memories, the ivory keys sent
the plaintive melody of Aud Lang
Syne" signing through the room. The
idle chatter ceased, every mind was
busy with bitter.sweet memories, and
the air was full of the scent of var
nished clover, the warm fragrance Of
newly-tossed hay, the echo of babling
brooks. The simple tune knocked at
the door of every heart, and the ghosts
of dead days came trooping forth in
answer.
A stout dame at the musicians left
! looked away through the open window
! beyond the moon flooded hills, and a
sigh scintillated the Jet upon the ample
! bosom. She had gone back and on a
summer eve years ago, land was dressed
in a faded pink calico and Tapping sun
bonnet again. Her bare toes, sand deep
in yellow dust Of the country road as
she drove the cows home through the
lonely, cool shadows. John Edward,
freck led-iaced and honest-eyed, came
Sheepishly out OF the woods and Joined
her, and the cows were late that night,
for " hat has young love to do with
time?
A dign6ed old gentleman beside her
blew his nose and incidentally wiped
his eyes. lie was thinking OF the
morning when he went out to seek his
fortune, and turned under the windy
orchard trees to wave Of last fare
well to a mother, who stood in the door
with her cheek-aprou to her eyes. He
, had whistIed "Auld Lang e'yne" tC
keep back the rising sObs as he trudged
upon his way.
Not word was spoken when thC
last memory haunted note died away
/. in silence, but every one had paid The
tribute of a tear to Aud Lang Syne. y
. An almost forgotten poet, Robert
Hinchly Messenger, quantity wishes
for old friends to talk with in an idea
old age, and he might have also added
old tunes to be played in the long twi-
lights while he dozed and dreamed in al
easy chair. 1t is a fact that none o
the popular songs of late years survive
a Mayfy existence They catch tn
lip, but do not hold the heart, and art
written to cater to popular fancy, un
like the old tunes which are birth
marked with the joys and woes Of tn
human race.
Music-hall melodies may come an
go and be forgotten, but as long as
sprig of heather blossoms on Scottis
mo5rs Highland Mary" will brin
tears to Scottish eyes, and the cruelt
of barbara Allen" will go dow
through all the ages while lads g
courting and lasses are capriciOu
Every sailor leaves "a a'Blackeyed SusaI
in port behind him. and there is a chOr
in every bosom set to the wanderer
immortal cry, Home Sweet Home
"Annie Laurie" will live as long as Il
English language. Neither Hand
nor Beethoven composed the Ma
seillaise,, yet il became the battle-cl
of nation. 1t is not to the music
the symphony societies that the dyir
turn but to Rock of Ages"
Many of Gilbert & Sullivan's catcf
melodies are borrowed from old ba
lads, and they have even Moth
. Goose to thank for some of their su
cess.
Strauss may set the feet to dancin
II Wagner's tickle the brain and Moza
pleases the ear, but nothing c.
Il touch the heart like the old tunes.
Press.