New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-21
MUSICAL COMMENT.
THE TRIBUNE'S WAR SONG-ADDlTlONAh
CELEBRATIONS OF PERRY'S VICTORY
on LAKE ERIE-THE STORY
Annie Al, HE,NROW
OF ADMIRAL BENBOW.

on LAKE ERIE-THE STORY
OF ADMIRAL BENBoW.
The Tribune IN its illustrated supplement to-day
provides compapion for the ballad emitted
"perrv's Victory" which vas Published on July 81
That ballad 10 Judge by internal evidence alone
had original music: AZ least. there q smack OF
American simplicity about the composition. espe-
cially in the chorus which The Trihnncs war Inu-
stefan thought II best not % disturb IN MS ar
rancement Of the song. The ballad printed to-day
IS In a different case. Like that or August H. ana
Ike the majority Of the naval ballads sung IN
America 10 celebrate the Victories OF the War ~
lsI2 this was written to an English melody. II
NAV be found In Chappells Popular Music OF the
Olden Time" admiral Benhow" Is favoriie Ola
sea song says Chappell to ne found I'm colec-
ton OF penny sonCbooks formerly belonging 20
Ritson: and with music I'm Dale's Collection. l.
6S Concerning the origin and age OF the tune MT
Chappell seems to have learned nothing. he says
however that the melody Of Admiral Benpow Is
",he vehicle Of several country songs At the pres
ent time. and used for Christmas carols very
appropriate use indeed, In view of the suavity ana
gcnteness OF tho tune, which makes IT'S use Tor
sea-songs somewhat ano nalous The words OF the
first stanza OF tho old ballad are these:
o. we Said to Virginia and thence to Fayal.
Where waterd our shipping. ana theh W.
Full in view on the sea. boys seven sail we did
O. We manned our capstan md weighed speedily.
The subject Of the Bcnbow ballad is an engage
inent in the West Indies between British ana
French fleets in August. l7o-. Vce-Admirai Ben
bow was loved by the sailors. not only because OF
his gallantry but also because he rose 10 ms cX-
allied rank from that II a common sailor. For TINS
he was called "the brother tar" and there - an
other ballad fl his honor. called "Bcnbow the
Brother Tar's Song" Of which Mr.. Ilalli"en r'-
printed the words IN the Early naval Ballads Of
England" from old brcadsde Chappeh says:
Admiral Benbow Was a thorouehly ga!lant sea
man lie received hS comm SION III ll. i'''s .ui
J Is bravery i'm beating on COrelir while ~ com
boarded him they were driven back. leaving thlr
teen OF their number dead upon his dock lie was
twice sent to the We indies 10y ring w illanii
on the second occasion he foil ia with the French
admiral Du Case ~ August. i'o2 near ne Span-
ish coast, Diminishing action continued i9r iour
days. but the last the admiral was lcfi nen, 20
engage the French his other ships having iallen
astcrn Although thus sinele-handed and having I'M;
suffer himself 20 Doe removed from tho quarter
deck Gin this respect the ballad j. ncorrectl. hut
confined r~offur until the following morning
when he French sh,orsd on Tho ADMIRAL made
ccivod no attention and he was obliged to return
10 Jamaica whore he caused the officers who be
t hoy1 59 isig wn be fSuad Is hc arcan Ms
cellany." volume ]. ito. l4ti There WIS iaea.
not to neh' mo French. Admiral Renhow dd not
long survive this disapponm"nt; II aggravated the
effects Of his wound. and he expired
Mester-Commandant Perry came IN for very
large share or lyric praise after his memorable
victory II cannot dctrac' from tho hrilliancy ~
his achievement 10 say that thore may have been
two reasons why ne WIS 50 much hesung The
first I've famous Victories ~ tho American ships
were al won within the nrs' six months Of the war
The Constitution defeated tho Gucrri5re on August
- 1872. the Wasp the Frollr September Is tho
United states thc Macedonian ON october =. the
Constitution tho Java on December -. the Hornet
tho Peacock on February - 1912 These were the
g.. Nm.
thusasm and carried corsio~nl0on 20 Great Brit
ain Then came a halt in mo iriump1ai progress
u the American Navy fo- six months. AMI the
British operations in iho Sorfhwes' which were
checked hy the battle Of Lake Erie Naturally
there Vas new ol'hlr-f ~ tho 'rthufiffm which
Ind famed up 50 brilliantly at tho beginning and
naturally also Perry. young as Doc MS. was placed
in the popular affection and admiration on n ievci
with the Older ana earlier heroes HUI Decatur
Jones and cambridge Two or three of me songs
which We DO not Intend fo reprint in fll. doferve
ncvcrfhclrss TO be recalled. There was one. sung
TO the tune. The Constellation which betrayed
ln ono line that its author WIS familiar with 90"
ancient ballad ~ "Ch.,y chase" and in another
suggests the old ara proper pronunciation ~
Niagara" The children Yet unborn vii sly"
remarks our poet. nrd "The rhld may fie mat u"
unbornc." says tao Old British minstrel Here is "a
s,anza following tho description %, mo disaster
which overlook tho Lawrence Perry's nagship.
Brave Elliot ayfl 20 our rclic'.
And took ou board our gallant CHIEF.
Nor dld we take single reef
ON board the Niagara
The children yrf unborn VIII say
That n'cr was fought greater day
ON ocears bosom. lake 81 sea-
our Yankee shot
We're played go no.
That now % rag those bragg nave not
To hoist upon Lake Ere"