The Opelousas courier., 1897-10-23
STORY OF A SONG.
ORIGIN AND PUBLICATION OF
"SWEET BYE AND BYE"
A Doctor Wrote the Verses and {
Despondent Musician Worked
Out the Tune, All With
In Forty Minutes.

4 11tt liz IlC LNC" Lolh SbIs NCH toC
interest in this song is awakened, [
wish to make public the circumstances
of its inception and subsequent pub.
LEGATION and the way in which it became
popular.
A. P. Webster, the composer Of the
music, al 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 hal
been published at Chicago by Il. Il.
Higgins, who, with the writer, then~s
boy Of twelve years, created q sale to
them by singing them for acqueint-
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 he would come
to Chicago with g. roll of manuscript
songs. These were usually written
with @ pencil, AMI in a hasty, scrawl-
ing manner, though the notes were
always legibIe. The songs he offered
for sale at $225 each, aud the publisher
would select what he thought would
sell, and either pay him or agree to
pay royalty. My recollection is that
"Paul Vane," ''Lorana,' and "Littie
Maud were published on the royalty
plan. Webster's appearance as he
came into the store was most nco
mon. He wore his hair hanging to
the shoulders. Il WAS light brown,
and his complexion was ford. He
had clear blue eyes and heavy eye
lashes. He was of medium height,
rather slender, ana walked with q gait
that suggested humility. It has been
said that Webster was Incorporate,
anl that he used to drink heavily.
but I never SAW him under the iuau-
ence of liquor.
In 1866 or 1867 q young physician,
Samuel Fillmore Bennett, then lately
graduated from Ann Arbor Univers-
ity, had become al intimate friend Of
Webster. They were in fact almost
inseparable. One day Webster came
to his Office in a most respondent
frame or MIND.
"What is the trouble nov?" his
friend asked.
SIT is no natter" Webster an
svered with a sigh. SIT 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:
"Thy not make a song Of the sweet
and bye? Webster answered:
"You write the verses and I'll make
the music"
Turning to his desk Bennett hastily
seribhled line after line, aud in less
than half an hour the verses were com
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.
hastily jotted it down on waste
paper, and in less than ten minutes
from the time he began the compost
ton the four men were singing ''The
Bye aud Bye" Thus origin
ated the words and music OF a hymn
which has given consolation and hope
to the whole Christian world. The
characters in the drama are few and
humble, the surroundings most simple
poor Respondent musician, the
young physician, two friends and @
common Office in a Western town.
The composer, with his manuscript
songs under his arm, appeared in
Chicago soon afterward. He hoped
and expected to sell the manuscripts
for $25 each; this meant $3.50 or 5000
to take home. He went to the music
store of Root & Cady, who had made
fortune with "The Battle Cry of
and other war song. They
examined his manuscripts and took all
1.-THE Sweet Bye and Bye"
That they did not think worth publish
Poor Webster! The song he had
counted upon most was rejected! He
could not go to Higgins again. for
Higgins had hurt his feelings and had
refused to publish any more Of his
songs. He finally thought of a new
firm of young men lately from Boston,
Lyon & Healy, They had treated him
courteously, though they had pub
lished nothing of his. Thus he came
to Lyon & Healy's store, where I was
then in charge of the retail depart.
nent. Having known him for several
years I greeted him warmly, and at
once took him to Mr.. Healy, who gave
him his immediate attention. I re.
member SO well the whole attitude Of
The man as he came in and approached
Mr.. Healy. He awakened a keen ems
Of pity, for he was rs if he had lost all
and I. think it was this feeling
which moved MIR. Healy. after listen
ing to the song on the piano, to offer
him 500 for it. This Webster accepted
and seemed thankful for. Little in
was shown toward the song.
popularity had waned great
~ and had been overshadowed by the
success of George r. Roots
war songs. Thus the composer of
Little Maud" and "Lorena" was no
.onger sought and little attention
given him. After Webster had gone
Mr.. Healy turned the manuscript Of
The song over to me, and I played it
Ind hummed it with perfect indifer-
snce, not to say contempt, for it's sim
offended the little knowledge I
1ad acquired by studying Johnson's
Harmony and Thorough Bass" Mr..
said with a sigh: