Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-10-10
He Wrote 'TrAmp, TRAMP"

He Wrote Tramp. Tramp
Dr. George Frederick Root, the emf
hent American musician, who will be
remembered and admired by the Amer
lean people for generations to come as
the author and composer of "The Battle
Cry OF Freedom" and Tramp, Tramp,
tramp; the Boys Are Marching" died
at Bailey's Island, summer resort off
portland. Maine. in his 18th year. re-
Gently. DIR. Root was born in Sheffield,
Mass, Aug. 80. 1920, but spent his child
mood at North Reading At the age of
~ ne had attained a degree of pro-
Hciencv in music seldom secured in
those days in an isolated village. Pro-
ceedlng to Boston in 1888 Mr.. Root be-
came member of the Boston Academy
Chorus. then directed by Lowell Mason.
he mere organized flute club, COM
posed OF his pupils and other musicians
and known as the Nicholson Flute club.
Inc first singing school taught by Mr..
Root was during the winter of 1883
IN Boston. After busy career in Bos-
ton devoted to teaching and church and
concert work, Mr.. Root removed to New
YORK in 1874. For six years he re-
manned m that city directing classes
IN singing and other branches of music
study In 1850 he went abroad, re-
naming in Paris and London for a
year. For five years subsequent to
MS return to America Mr. Root took up
MS residence in New York, where his
first cantata, THE Flower Queen" was
brought out. In 1860 the Normal"
was held in Chicago. and beginning
THIS year was inaugurated by Mr.. Root
the most important work of his life
the writing of war songs. The trou-
Died condition of the country virtually
ended the Normal work in 1862. to be
revived Immediately on the wars con-
cluslon at WinOna, MINI. From that
period Mr.. Roots musical undertakings
were marked by the same energy and
spirit which had throughout distin-
"guished them. In 1860 DR.. Root began
10 write war songs, of which the follow
ing Is list: Just Before the Battle.
Mother within the Sound of the
Enemy's Guns" Lay Me Down and
Save the Flag" Come, Brothers, All,
It's Columbia's Call" Stand Up for
Uncle Sam. Boys" Tramp, Tramp,
Tramp, the Boys Are Marching" 20.
Come You from the Battle Field?"
Brother. Tell Me of the Battle"
Starved in Prison." "The Vacant
Chair" Who'll Save the Lett" and
on the death of President Lincoln.
Farewell. Father. Friend, and Guar
dian.' The wide popularity of THE
Vacant Chair" and Tramp. Tram
Tramp must be reckoned as second
only to "The Battle Cry of Freedom"
The list of Mr.. Roots published COM
positions comprises 17S songs, besides
two series in sheet form, called respect
lively Camps, Tramps, and Battle
tields,' and Home Scenes" and no less
than seventy-five cantatas, books of
selections and instruction books. The
principal instrumental compositions by
Mr.. Root include. in addition to those
contained in the books mentioned
THE March of the 100000" and Italia
Grand March, Up to the time of his
death Mr.. Root was busily engaged
upon the composition of hymns for the
Sunday schools of England and Scot
land. DR.. Root was never a business
man. His brother, Il. Towner Root
came to Chicago In 1858 and organized
the firm of Root & Cady and when DR..
Root came here in 1860 he entered this
firm. but only as author" and always
refused to take any part in business
In 1871 this Arm u,os Ate
solved. and DR.. Root never belonged
to another. From that time until his
death he was employed as a musical
writer and composer. and was uniform.
ly successful at almost everything he
He never accumulated
great fortune. but for many years be-
fore his death he enjoyed an income of
$4,000. derived mainly from the royal
ties of his numerous publications.