The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-26
MR.. CHARLES e. RANDALL.

MR.. CHARLES e. RANDALL.
is known by reputation if not personally.
Mr.. Randall himself lives on London
street. East Boston. quite near the ferry
houses
1t is interesting to hear Mr.. Randall tell
how ne came to write popular songs.
Mr.. Randall is about 80 year Of age,
and has large, well-shaped head and
bright, intelligent face. His features are
indicative OF thoughtful and well-bal-
anced mind. He looks like sea-faring
man, and he has been one.
HIS FIRST SONG.
Mr.. Randall's first song, "Glasses
Mother Wore, y was written by him in
the fall of 1886, when he was living in
Notified, little town near Brockton.
The story, how the words came into tho
mind of Mr.. Randall, is worth listening
to when told BY the author of the song.
"You see my wife was one day cleaning
out bureau drawer in the house." said
he, "and among the other things that
she produced was a pair of spectacles
which belonged to my mother.
"The sight of the glasses brought
memories of my mother into my mind
which could not seem to shake off. Slis
had been one of the kindest and best
mothers any man ever had, and loved
her very much indeed.
"I took the glasses into my hands and
willis looking at them fondly the words
of the song shaped themselves in my
mind Something impelled me to write
the words out before forgot them.
$50 took pencil and piece OF paper
and going into the next room wrote them
down. My wife had not the slightest
suspicion of what was about When !
showed the verses to her. however, she
was greatly pleased with them. Everyone
else who saw them said the same thing.
Here are the words:
"GLASSES MOTHER WORE"
We are sitting by the fire tonight near
the closing of the year,
NV wife has placed within my hands
some things to memory dear.
| Would you know what my hands contain,
and why my heart is SORE
| They hold a well-worn leather case and
the glasses mother wore.
CHORUS:
Then do not deem me weak or mad, or
mock these falling tears.
For she who wore these glasses has been
dead for many years.
But she will never be forgot, nor Is there
in earth's store,
| A diamond half so dear to me as these
glasses mother wore.
Ash gaze on these light crystals, my
mother fftoe is near.
Her dear old eyes look into mine, her
voice ] seem to hear.
But no, alas, 1t cannot be, my heart IL is
SO sore.
For mothers gone and all I've left are
the glasses that she wore. * Chorus.
In many happy home tonight there
mother old and gray,
With feeble steps and failing sight. SO
love her while you may.
But the time will come, and all too soon,
when her face you'll see no more.
And you will weep like me tonight DER
the glasses mother wore. -(Chorus.
Taking the advice Of friends, Mr.. Ran
dali had the words set to music and pub
lished. The song has been heard in some
of the theatr es in Boston and has always
been we'll received, but cannot be said
TO have made great hit. 1t was pub
lished July 49, 1887. The friends OF Mr..
Randall have never ceased praising that
song and they look for greater things
from the composer.
ANOTHER OF HIS SONGS.
Mr.. Randall was born in Portland, Me.
in 1s42, and lived there till he reached his
majority. His father was veteran sea
captain. During Randall's boyhood he
always used to look at the old observatory
on top of Munjoy Hill, whenever he ex
pected his father home from long voy
age.
1t was the custom of the merchants Of
Portland owning vessels to have mar
stationed in the old red tower of the OBJ
seryatory with powerful glass, and
whenever vessel was sighted entering
the harbor flag was displayed on thu
tower notifying the owner that his yes
sci had arrived in port.
Many time had young Randall gazee
at this tower expectantly, hoping ant
praying that his fathers signal might b
DISPLAYED there. After his father hat
been absent for several years, and hat
not communicated with his family, /,
thrill of inv ran through the Randall