The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-18
COMPOSER OF " DIXIE
"TNCLE DAM EMMETT, VINO Is
WIN Al. TIELD'S MINsTRELs.
The author of the Inspiring Melody.
sketch Of His Life-How Dixie Came to
be written other Compositions.

" lncle Dan. the dI-Nof OF ne NvihS
AMI music Of the glorious Southern Ma
tional song. "Dixies Land. Mr.. Emmett
is with Mr.. AL. Fields Minstrels. which
is now filling an engagement, at the Acad-
envy OF Music.
Mr Emmett is now In his seventy-frst
year. having been born in Mt. Vernon,
Iowa. October 18th. 1915. He las never
been sick day i'm his life and is a young
looking man for one OF his age, and with
proper care Of his health bids fair 20
live many years THAT this nay be so H.
the wish Of the great body Of Southerners
who have listened 10 the inspiring strains
OF Dixie"
HIS EARLY LIFE.
Mr.. En,metts father was the village
blacksmith He kept Dan at school until
he was about fourteen years old. when
his family Increasing, he was compelled 20
take Dan home 10 assist In his blacksmith
shon. When Dan left school he sradu-
ated with high honors in the three KS.
English grammar. geography and klnoi'o
studies were considered sunerluous ioi
the Obvious reason that no ordinary
teachers of those days were found VINO
were capable OF giving instruction IN
those very essential branches, and Uncle
Dams ACCOMPLISHMENTS I'm that line are
due 10 his cont - with men Of refine
ment and superior education. Hc always
made Il a point 10 listen 20 their CONVEX
sation and his rententive memory en-
abled him 10 retain any observation which
ne thought would be beneficial 20 him in
after years.
After travelling twenty-five years with
various circus companies, Uncle Dan
abandoned that mode OF life And came
TO New York 20 support himself as a
u
In the spring OF 1859 he found himself
engaged with the Brysnts' Ministries OF
No. i72 Broadway. Now York This par
ticular engagement was to compose comic
and negro songs. and plantation negro
walk rounds" I'm which capacity he 20
NAMED with the Bryants from 81 10 go,
during which time he was never absent
from the city
HOW DIXIE WAS WRITTEN.
one Saturday night after the perform
ance. Nj Jerry Bryant overlook him on
his wav home and requested him 10 COM
nose a new plantation negro walk
round. The next day being Sunday.
and very stormy and rainy day at that,
Mr.. Emmett could not get ont Of his
home. therefore he sat down and tn less
than one hour he composed the words
and music Of Dixie" verbatim. As II
Is now sung in both the Northern and
Southern portions Of the union Mr.. Em-
nett. being known throughout the North
as the bona fde author and composer OF
the words and music of this famous song,
he was the only man allowed 10 sing u
i'm any theatre or other place Of amuse-
ment north of Mason's and Dlvon's line
Mt Emmett Is opposed 10 any unneces-
sarv nOtorety that might be bestowed
D. HHfN HH.H .nH
tlas soul-stirring melody.
He lived about twelve years on his farm
near Mt. Vernon Not even his nearest
relatives nor the citizens near NJ Yer
non had the least idea from any word or
hint that he might have let drop that he
was the Dan Emmett. the author Of this
song and music. and they would have re-
manned i'm ignorance had not Mr.. Al.
Field made them acquainted with the fact
when he came 70 MI. Vernon 10 engage
Uncle Dan for a Southern tour with his
famous minstrel troupe.
Mr.. Emmett has been received with
commensurate honors and treated with
great respect I'm every Southern CITY
where De has appeared.
OTHER COMPOSITION.
Uncle Dan has. in his career. written
many other famous SONGS and walk
"a Irds." among which are odd Dar
Tucker Dandy Jim. "Oid Aunt sal
lie.' "BOatmaus Dance, ana seFera'
others Of equally world-wild reputation
Mr. Emmett has been twice happily
married but has no children. and be- says
n was his wife vino named the COM
position pixie
Gle did not bear arms during the war
because. he saws. DE was opposed 10 slave
pa. but was unwilling 20 fight the Souin-
lie was entered a commission M the
Confederate army by President DAVIS,
but declined the honor.
These are the words of the Famous
song
wish I was iu de land OBJ cotton,
'CimmOn seed and sandy bottom .,.
Look away look away look away
-, Dixie land whar | was born in,
Early on one frosty mornin, MI.
Look away. look away away DING
''''' CHORUS
Den wish was in Dixie hooray
In bikes land we1l take our stand.
To ub and die Do Dixie.
Away. away, away down S"ulh lh ptNt'
Awav. away. away down South IN piAie.
old missus marry VIII dc weabcr,
William was "a gay deccauci-
Look away look away look away
Dixie land
When h. nuis his arm around 'er
He look as fierce As forty-pouuder.
Look away look away, away Dixie
lana,
His face was as sharp as a butchers
cleaher,
Look away. look away. look away,
Dixie land
old missrs a.i.d de- fOolest part
And died for man that broke her heart.
Look away. look away, away Dixie
land.
NOW here's to Tie health OF de next old
missus.
An ali de gals dat want 10 kiss U.S.
Look away. look away, look away,
Dixie land.
But If you want 10 drive away sorrow,
Come and hear lis song 90 morrow,
Look away. look away. away Dixie
land
Oars buckwhcat cakes an lnlun batter,
Makes You fat or a little fatter-
Look away. look away, look away,
Dixie land
Den hoe il down and scratch your grab
BE.
To Dixie's land I'm bosnd TO trabblc.
Look away. look assy, away, Dixi,
land.