The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-17
STORY OF A SONG.
ORIGIN AND PUBLICATION OF
"SW;:ET BYE AND BYE."
A Doctor Wrote the Verses and Q
DcspoHdent Musician Worked
Out tho Tune, All With
In Forty Minutes.
7 WHERE recently appeared in o

and Bye" containing many
absurd statements. writes Silas G.
Pratt in tho New York Sun. Now the
interest in this song is awakened, I
wish to nuke public the circumstances
of it's inception and subsequent pub
llcation and the way in which it became
popular.
"A. P. Webster, the composer of the
music, was by no means unknown to
the public at the time the song was
published. He had won great poru:
larity with his "Lorena," paul
Vane," "Little Maud" These had
been published at Chicago by II. NJ.
Higgins, who, with the writer, then a
boy of twelve years, created sale for
them by singing them for acquaint'
ances and customers who came to
purchase music. At that time, in the
early sixties. Webster lived at the
little town OF Elkhorn, Wis, and
about twice each year lie would come
to Chicago with & roll Of manuscript
songs. Tneso were usually written
with e pencil, and in hasty, scrawl-
ing manner, though the notes were
always legible. The songs he offered
for sale at S25 each, and the publisher
would select what he thought would
sell, and either pay him or agree to
pay royalty. My recollection is that
paul Vane," ']lorena," and "Little
Maud" were published on the royalty
plan. Webster's appearance as be
came into the store was most nncom-
mon. ae wore his hair hanging to
the shoulders. 1t was light brown,
and his complexion was Aorid. He
had clear blue eyes and heavy eye
lashes. He was of medium height,
rather slender, and walked with gait
that suggested humility. It hos been
said that Webster Was Incorporate,
and that he used to drink heavily.
but never saw him under the iuau-
ence OF liquor.
In 1856 or 1867 q young physician,
Samuel Fillmore Bennett, then lately
graduated from Ann Arbor Univers-
lty, had become IN intimate friend of
Webster, They were in fact almost
insepsrabie. One day Webster came
10 his Office in a most Respondent
frame Of mind.
"What is the trouble now?' bis
friend asked.
''It is no matter" Webster an
swerea with sigh. lit will be all
right bye and bye"
Like IN inspiration the idea flashed
upon Bennett, who had written sew
eral war poems, to write some verses,
and be said:
"Why not make song Of the sweet
bye and hye?" Webster answered:
"You write the verses and I'll make
the music
Turning to bis desk Bennett hastily
scrubbed line after line, and in less
than half an hour the verses were com.
pleted. He then handed them to
Webster, who raised his violin just as
two friends entered. No: waiting to
greet them he drew his bow and with
out eny hesitation played the tn ne
which since has been suuE by millions.
He hastily jotted it down on waste
paper, and in less than ten minutes
from the time he began the compo ISL
ton the four men were singing '1he
Sweet Bye aud Bye" Thus origin.
ated the words and music OF hymn
which has given consolation and hope
to the whole Christian world. The
characters in the drama are few Ind
humble, the surroundings most simple
the poor respondent musician, the
young physician, two friends and 9
common office in Western town.
The composer, with his manuscript
songs under his arIn, appeared il
Chicago soon afterwarl. He hopeG
and expected to sell the manuscript!
for $25 each; this meant $3.50 or 500
to take home. He went to the music
store OF Root & Cady, who had mad,
q fortune with 'The Battle Cry O
Freedom" and other war song. The,
examined his manuscripts and took oil
except "The Sweet Bye and Bye
That they did not think worth publish
ing.
Poor Wobsterl The son, he hat
counted upon most was rejected! h
could not go to Higgins again. TO,
Higgins had hurt his feelings and ha.
refused to publish any more of hi
songs. He finally thought of a new
firm of young men lately from Boston
Lyon & Healy. They had treated hin
oourteously, though they had pub
lished nothing Of his. Thus he cam
to Lyon g. Healy's store, where wa
then in charge of the retail depart
ment. Having known him for severa
years greeted him warmly, and a
once took him to Mr.. Healy, who CAV
him his immediate attention. / re
member so we'll the whole attitude O
the man as he came in and approache,
Mr.. Healy. He awakened o keen sens
of pity, for he was as il he had lost al
| hope; and I think it was this feelin,