Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-07-14
Songs That Made Soldiers.


The requiems sung recently over the
graves OF those who surrendered life
in the fight for nations preservation
and those that fought for the cause
that was lost recalls the stirring songs
that inspired patriotism in the hearts
of men during the crimson times of
the rebellion's fierce insipiency. True,
the sound of music, harmonious from
many instruments, sent the blood flow
ing faster and thrilled the souls OF
listeners, but 1t was the songs, patri-
otto and ge-inspiring, voiced by
brave men, that made stanch soldiers
stancher, and drew into the ranks
Of those battling for a country men
who might otherwise have remained
laggard in war. Nor have these songs,
springing from the necessity. ceased
to find the Endorsement of enthusiastic
patriotism whenever they are heard.
says the Chicago Times-Herald.
The greater portion of these stirring
songs and equally stirring tunes,
though it is not generally known. are
SUIEdSO dHu IL was III
this city that they were first sung.
Since then the echoes have resounded
around the world.
Some are aware that several of these
late George F. Root. But the men
whose voices first introduced Rally
Round the Flag, Boys" Tramp,
Tramp. Tramp, the Boys Are March
ing" and other national favorites are
comparatively unknown to the public.
These men who popularized patriotic
music by such an inspiring rendition
of songs that it made thousands of
soldiers were the Lumbard brothers.
julie and Frank, who lived in Chicago
until few years ago, when the latter
died, julie moving to Omaha, Neb.,
where he still sustains his reputation
as vocalist The surviving brother
possesses an impressive personality as
we'll as voice whose rich compass is
unimpaired. julie Hubbard, now IS
years of age, is a handsome old man.
erect in figure and of kindly counte-
nance. A generous growth OF long
hair recalls the prototype of the Silver
King. The voice which once made SOL
diers now sings the sacred music of
peace victories in an Omaha choir.
Rally Round tho Flag"
When the civil war broke out DR..
Root wrote Rally Round the Flag,
Boys" He took it at once to the Lum-
bards for its introduction at a mass
meeting to be held at the old court
house on Clark street that evening.
After one rehearsal the brothers at
tended the meeting and were intro
duced to the audience by the composer
OF the song At that time DR.. Root
called it THE Battle Cry OF Freedom"
Then the inspiring strains of Dr.
Roots production were given TO the
world for the first time. The Lumbard
brothers were at their best. Their |
hearts were in the song. When the |
chorus was finished with its great
climax Of rallying round the flag, 1OOOO |
threats cheered in patriotic approval. |
Men shouted and sung themselves /
hoarse. The sound of brass band. |
which endeavored to play another tune |
later, was drowned in the uproar which |
demanded repeated renditions of the
new national song. The popular voice |
the song Rally Round the !
Flag" and as such it became known.
The song quickly reached the army |
and was soon heard at every federal
camp fire.
The original words of the patriotic
air presented by Mr.. Lumbard are as
follows:
The Great War Song.
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys,
We'll rally once again,
Shouting the tattle cry of freedam, {