The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-05
"oN THE BANKS OF THE WABASH"
A Song, Composed with Poetic License. That
Ia Now Enjoying Popularity.

N oouRs So"poheu VIII FOettC License, Tnnt
Ia Now Enjoying Popularity.
The region of the Wabash, or Valley of the
Wabash. as it is sometimes called. ia not very
! popular among theatrical people. for there is
probably no part of the travelled East. West. or
South of the United States in which. generally
speaking, theatrical companies do 30 poorly and
disappointed expectations are 80 many rs in tho
section Of the country which lies between Terre
Haute and Evansville. But tho name. the
Wabash, has come recently into notice, owing
to the achievements Of r. W. Thompson. some.
timesc called THE Ancient Mariner Of the Wa.
bash " The was Secretary of the Navy in the
Hayes Cabinet). and to the death of Daniel w.
Voorhees,. known for thirty years among poll.
ticians in the United States as THE Tall Syca-
more of the Wabash" Possibly for this reason,
possibly for some other reason. Paul Dresser,
who has written q number of successful local
songs. has given to his latest. Just now very
popular, tho title "On the Banks of the Wabash,
Far Away" Dresser is the author of " Just Tell
Them That You Saw Me.""Don't Tell Her That
You Love Her, what Would Your Answer
OF the Wabash. Far Away" Is generally held to
account for its present success. which could not,
many think, be found in the words. This is the
first verse:
Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornnelds.
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool;
Where I first received my lessons-nature's school.
But one thing there is missing In the picture.
Without her face 1t seems so Incomplete;
1long TO see my mother in the doorway
As she stood there years ago. her hoy to greet
Persons who have travelled on or near tho
Wabash River. in Indiana. are aware of the
fact that 1t is an irregular stream. and that 22O
miles of its whole length, which is 800 miles, is
not navigable by steamboats,. This circum-
stance. however. has not been taken into ac-
count by the author of the song; neither has
the fact that there Is much wooded land along
Its banks, for the chorus or refrain is rs follows:
oh. the moonlight's fair to night along the Wabash,
mown hay.
Through the sycanores the candle lights are gleam-
ing
On the banks of the Wabash. far away.
song is the fact that although somewhat bucolic
In character, it has developed q great vogue
among cOlored singers, many of whom, 1t might
naturally be supposed. would be more partial to
musical themes rela ing to the sunny South
than to one describing conditions which exist in |
the section of the country in which colored In |
habitants are very rare. Poetic license has been
held by many to extend to song writers as we'll
as to other versiflers. and it must be in view of |
this license that tho reference contained in tho
river" Is made, for those familiar with tho
banks Of the Wabash are aware that any pro. |
miscuous strolling. would end in the river itself.
This verse Is as follows:
Many years have passed since ! strolled by tho river,
Arm in arm. with sweetheart Mary by my side;
1t was there I tried to tell her that I loved her,
1t was there ! begged OF her to be my bride.
Long years have passed since I strolled through the
churchyard-
She's sleeping there, my angel Mary dear,
I loved her. but she thought Ididn't mean IT,.
Still I'd give my future were she only here.
The music OF ION the Hackensack" wouId
sentimental.