The record-union., 1899-12-14
WAR SONGS IN ENGLAND.
Nothing Sells Now In Music Halls
Unless Martial In Sentiment.


afforded by compiling an anthology of
the songs which are in most demand
to-day.
An exhaustive inquiry among the
principal music publishers shows that
few songs are selling well which are
not imbued with the martial and patri-
otto spirit
"We find it almost impossible" said
the head of famous firm of music
publishers to representative of the
Daily Mall" ito sell songs in any
quantity which are not both in words
and music calculated to fan the war
fever. The sentimental love song is
nowhere unless the hero is a soldier.
1--WE dispose of a hundred military
songs to five ordinary ones. Every
one who sings at all has been going
to his music seller and investing in
war song or two. Probably no class
of the community so materially assists
in keeping the patriotic fire alight as
we, the music sellers, do"
One of the most popular martial
songs of the day is from the pen Of
Dr. Conan Doyle, and it will be seen
that he is no less successful in paying
a poetic tribute to the brave men of
England than he was when he thrilled
and excited every one by a recital Of
the wonderful deeds of Sherlock
Holmes.
This song, which is published by
Messrs. Chappell & Co., is entitled the
Song of the Bow" and is in sense
allegorical After various Inquiries
about the early English longbow, in
quiries which are answered by the au
thor, he comes to the question, What
of the menu" Here is the reply, which
forms the last verse:
The men were bred in England. in Eng
land;
The yeomen, the bowmen, the lads OF
dale and fell.
Here's to you, and to you-to the hearts
that are true,
And the land where the true hearts
dwell.
Here's to you, and to you-to the hearts
that are true,
And the land where the true hearts
dwell
One of the best known of our younger
school of song composers is Ernest
Newton, who generally writes in con-
junction with that well-known lyricist
Frederick Weatherley. Mr.. Newton,
who in private life is a schoolmaster,
and Mr.. Weatherley, who has a large
practice at the bar, have produced a
song together called Brothers in
Arms" which is being sung everywhere
just now. 1t is published by Messrs.
Hutchings & Romer, and runs as fol-
lows:
The call to arms has sounded,
And dawn the fight shall see;
Tonight We stand together
For the last time, may be.
Then gather round the standard,
Point every blade on high.
And pledge we now solemn vow
To conquer or to die.
The chorus, which is sung to a most
inspiriting tune, in march time, runs:
Marching together, scerning alarms,
Shoulder to shoulder brothers in arms.
Another song, published by the same
firm, is particularly apropos. Cecil
Traherne is responsible for both the
words and music and the song has been
sung in public by that well-known Off
Ger Major Cecil Ricardo, of the Gren-
adler Guards:
Old England's lads are ready
To fight at honof's call.
From north to south, from east to west,
We have left our mark on all.
Remember, then, with pride, boys,
What Englishmen can do,
AS we fought at Waterloo!
And there is a refrain:
Fill, boys, fill to the brim,
To the lads who are never afraid,
Cheer, boys, cheer with a WILL
For the glorious name we've madei
Hardly any one with an ear for
music has not heard the gay tune of
1.-THE Soldiers in the Park On every
side it salutes ones ears, and although
1.-THE Runaway Girl' is now ancient
history the war has given the song an
extraordinary impetus. 1t is perhaps
the most widely sung of all the latest
patriotic songs, though it was, of
course, written and composed months
before the war. It expresses the pas
sion for soldiers that lies dormant in
every English heart in a most vivid
and breathless manner, and the blar-
ing trumpet calls at the end of the lines
are most effective:
Where's the music that is half so sweet |
Ia ra ra, ia ia.
AS the trample of the soldiers feet?
Ia ra ra, ia ia.
And then comes the swinging, bang
ing chorus, bubbling over with excite
ment and high spirits:
Oh, listen to the band.
How. merrily they play.
ooh, don't you think it grand!"
Hear everybody say.
Oh, listen to the band!
Who doesn't love to bark
70 I'd me fbe sh6u5 On af h they ey oome
Oh, listen to the soldiers in the park.
Many of the vast crowds who have
witnessed the departure of our troops
for the seat of war during the last few
weeks will remember that it was this
spirited tune which played many Of
our gallant regiments on board the
transports. 1t will be associated in
many minds with the sadness of fare
we'll
Messrs Enoch publish very popular
patriotic song which has been sung at
the Palace Theater by Lionel Hume. 1t
is called by the comprehensive title of
England" and the chorus is as fol-
lows:
Then here's to England, home and
And here's to country and to Queen.
Long may fortune smile upon cur gallant |
Long may Britain's sons do their duty. |
No singer is unacquainted with the
name of Signor Tito Mattel Some OF
our most famous songs have been COM
posed by him, and his name is house,
hold word in almost every English
home. Signor Mattel has composed a
stirring piece of music ard words have
been set to it by Edward Foskett, F. r. |
S. L. It is published by Alfred Hayes
and is proving by no means the least
popular of the patriotic songs of to- |
day. 1t runs as follows:
East, west, south, away to the north
Our noble defenders go gallantly forth, |
While the thousands at home await the |
command
To defend with their lives our dear native
land. |