The Opelousas courier., 1896-10-03
STORY OF A SONG.
ORIGIN AND PUBLICATION OF
"SWEET EYE AND DYE"
A Doctor Wrote the Verses and
Despondent Musician Worked
Out the Tune, All With
in Forty Minutes.
/ WHERE recently appeared in q
Western newspaper an article

interest IN this song is awakened, l
wish to make public the circumstances
Of its inception and subsequent pub
lication and the way in which it became
popular.
A. P. Webster, the composer Of the
music, was by no mea unknown to
the public at the time the song was
published. He had won great poru-
iarity with his "I4orena," paul
Vane," Little Maud" These had
been published at Chicago by Fl. NJ.
Higgins, who, with the writer, then a
boy Of twelve years, created a 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 1t the
little town of EIkhorn, Wis, and
about twice each year he would come
to Chicago with u roll Of manuscript
songs. These were usually written
with O pencil, and in a hasty, scrawl-
ing manner, though the notes were
always legible. The songs he offered
for sale at SO each, and the publisher
would select what he thought would
sell, and either pay him or agree to
pay royalty. Ny recollection is that
"Paul Vane, ""Lorena," and Little
Maud were published OF the royalty
plan. Webster's appearance as he
came into the store was most uncom
mon. He wore his hair hanging to
the shoulders. It was light brown,
and his complexion was horid. He
had clear blue eyes and heavy eye
lashes. He was of medium height,
rather slender, and walked with a gait
that suggested humility. 1t has been
said that Webster was intemperate,
and that he used to drink heavily,
but | never saw him under the iutu-
nee of liquor.
in 1866 or 1867 a Young physician,
Samuel Fillmore Bennett, then lately
graduated from Ann Arbor Univers-
lty, had become an intimate friend of
Webster. They were in fact almost
inseparable. One day Webster came
to his Office in a most respondent
frame of mind.
"What is the trouble now?" his
friend asked.
cit is no NATTER" Webster an
swered with a sigh. cit will be all
right bye and bye"
Like an inspiration the idea flashed
upon Bennett, who had written sew
eral war poems, to write some verses,
and he said:
"Why not make a song Of the sweet
bye and bye" Webster answered:
"You write the verses and I'll make
the music"
Turning to his desk Bennett hastily
scrubbed line after line, and in less
than half an hour tho 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 any hesitation played the tune
which since has been sung by millions.
He hastily jotted it down on waste
paper, and in less than ten minutes
from the time be began the compost
ton the four men were singing "The
Sweet Bye aud Bye" Thus origin.
ated the words and music Of a HYMN
which has given consolation and hope
the whole Christian world. The
characters in the drama are few and
humble, the surroundings most simple
the poor despondent musician, the
young physician, two friends and a
common Office in a Western town.
The composer, with his manuscript
songs under his arm, appeared in
Dol afterward. He hoped
and expected to sell the manuscripts
sor $25 each; this meant $3.50 or 5000
20 take home. He went to the music
store of Root & Cady, who had made
fortune with "The Battle CRY of
Freedom and other wal song. They
examined his manuscripts and took all
''The Sweet Bye and Bye"
That they did not think worth Publish
ng.
Poor Webster! Tile song he had
counted upon most was rejected! He
Gould not go to Higgins again, for
had hurt his feelings and had
efused to publish any more OF his
ongs. He finally thought of a new
lrm of young men lately from Boston,
lyon & Healy. They had treated him
cautiously, though they had pub
lshed nothing Of his. Thus he came
o Lyon & Healy's store, where L was
hen In charge of the retail depart.
aent. Having known him for several
ears l greeted him warmly, and at
nee took him to Mr.. Healy, who gave
his Immediate attention.. | re.
member SO well the whole attitude of
he man as he came in and approached
lr. Healy. He awakened a keen sense
# pity, for he was as if he had lost all
tope; and I think it was this feeling
7hich moved Mr.. Healy. after listen
ng to the song on the piano, to offer
i'm $40 for it. This Webster accepted
nd seemed thankful for. Little in. l
crest was shown toward the song.
Vebster's popularity had waned great s
Y and had been overshadowed by the
normous success of George r. Roots {
ar songs. Thus the composer of {
Little Ng!d" and ''Lorena" was no {
onger slight and little attention t
lven him. After Webster had gone {
lr. Healy turned the manuscript of t
song over to me, and 1 played it {
nd hummed it with perfect indiffer- |
nee, not to say contempt, for its sim
llcity offended the little knowledge I
acquired 10y studying Johnson's !
Harmony and Thorough Bass" Mr.. 1.
said with a sigh: t
COB, yes! We'll have to get it out" '
then added, "Poor fellow! [ c
haua tho heant IL aanl IL. Y