The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-28
EDITOR'S CHAT.


Thanksgiving in National Anthems, Written
nv the Venerable Patriot, DIR. ;. u. smith,
who Has Fired the Hearts of Millions
with Ills Ringing Stanzas-Eugene Field
Has Sung His Last Song.
HAIL AND FAREWELL.
II is but little more than a week since the
venerable DIR. 6. F. Smith. author of our great
National anthem, My Country, lis of Thee, "
as well as over 100 other patriotic anthems and
sacred songs and hymns, was laid to rest among
his beloved New England hills.
Eighty-seven years old, but with the heart
and the hope Of a boy; as much OF boy as
when he worked his way through Harvard
College the boy celebrated many years alter
by his classmate, DIR. Oliver Wendell Holmes,
in that celebrated Reunion poem, beginning: =
Has any old fellow got mixed with the boys,
If there has take him out without b!uster or
noise"
They were grav-haired boys who had met to
celebrate there, and the storms of many hln-
tiers had blown over them; and the sweet
singer who sang DIR. Holmes) went to loln has
school-fellows more than year ago, ana only
Samuel Francis Smith fingered, and now he
has fallen, the last leaf from a mighty tree oil
human endeavor.
Ii was of him of whom DIR. Holmes in his
Reunion wrote when he said:
"And there's a nice youngsier of excellent pith,
Fate tried TO conceal him by naming him Smlth;
Rut he cbauted a song for the brave aud the free.
just read on his medal. My Country, OF Thee.
Eightv-seven years old and Oh his way 10
preach sermon issions, when, while walt
ing in Boston depot for transfer tram, 600 s
message came, The Master hath need of thee"
and be answered in a moment: Here am i. :"
Ii was but a moment, but in that moment there
was translated singer welcomed by celestial
choirs for in his song were the strains OF i'm
mortal music.
As for us. one and all Of us those who sing
his songs and those who profit by the singing
shall we not stop long enough TO pay some small
tribute to him who so largely nodded the pat
riotic sentiment Of the Nation:
eve may forget the singer,
But we can't forget the song
Trueenough for " My Country. 'Tis of Thee"
is set to the music of the ages it has been
called Engand's tune. because to that tune has
been set the words of God Save the Queen"
but when away back in 1742 Henry Carey
adapted that tune, it was an old tune then.
Dr. Smith found it among the folk songs of
Germany, and who knows but our Aryan
mothers sang il 10 their children as they wend-
ed their weary way from the plains OF
Asia 10 the savage wilds Of Europe?
And just as the name of the singer who sang
the tune has been forgotten in the alarms Of
the ages so we may forget that DIR. Smith gave
us the words that have set it singing in every
loyal American heart. But now let the Loyal
Home Workers all unite in a tribute OF praise
90 DIR. Smiths memory
Think what a glorious thing IL wonld be II
all our boys would pattern after the man VINO
was q boy at 81, because lac had kept his
blood pure ard nerves steady, and his con-
science void Of offense; because he loved his
country next to his God, aud as loyal son
OF the soil felt that in his own life should be
exempliied all the virtues Of the Republic.
NATIONAL ANTHEMS.
blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,
for they rest from their labors aud their works
do follow them"
So says the good book after whose rule and
pattern DIR. Smiths life modelled. At this
Thanksgiving season let Us memorize his an
thems, singing them with the spirit aud the
understanding.
MY COUNTRY, IT'S OF THEE.
Ny country! Ills Of thee,
Sweet land OF liberty,
OF thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died!
Land OF the pilgrims pride!
From every mountain side,
Lei freedom Tingi
Ny native country thee
Lauo OF The noble. Free
Thy name love;
j love thy rocks and rills,
thy woods and implied hills;
Ny heart with rapture thrills
Like thai above.
Let music swell the breeze
And ring from all The trees,
Sweet freedoms song;
Lei mortal tongues awake.
Let hi' That breathe paTiake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prOlong.
Our fathers Godi to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedoms holy light;
Protect by thy might
Great Cod our kingi
rHE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
Auspcious morning. bail
Voices from bill aud yRle
Thy welcome sing.
Joy on iby dRwuing breaks:
Eacl heart that joy psrtalcs,
WINE cheefiul music wakes
lie praise 10 bring.
When on the tyranl's rod
Our patriot fathers trod.
And dared he free,
Twas no. in burning zeal
Firm nerves and hearts @ steel.
Our country's JOY 10 seal,
But, Lord, Ia thee.
Thou AZ a shield Of power
ia battle awful hour.
Didst round us stand:
Our hopes were in thy throne,
Strong ia thy might alone,
BY lice our banners shoDe,
God OF our land.
Long Ger native hilis
Long by our shaded rilis
May freedom rest;
Long mag our shores have peace
Our flag grace every breeze
Our ships The distant seas
From east west.
Peace on this day abide
From till eveniide;
Wake tnnelul song;
Mclodious accents raise:
Let every heart with praise
Bring high and grateful lays
Rich, full, aud strong.
SMITH MEMORIAL TRIBUTES.
These columns will be given up Dec. l9 tc
memorial tributes from members of the L. If W
and the &C generally in praise of Rev. Dr. :
i. Smith, author of :" Ny Country. IT'S of Thee. y
Mail contributions not later than Dec 10 "a
Mrs. Kate Is. Sherwood, Canton, y.