New-York tribune., 1900-12-23

pzEsra Bertram
Rocco NJ HnhbeneP
Der Mr. Mahlmann Imam
fl0'esah Conductor. walter DaInToseh
between R-9t5as Acts 'a and IL
ROMEO EFT JULIETTE"
Iulette Miss Miss a Suzanne Adams
stsphano miss Ss Bsuern1eiSer
Fere Laurent M f.1iISerf
TTBa Mr. Jacques Bars
fs Herfgnio DUO de- verone MI Dutriche
esE65iH ReSyoFo MI Masiero
@olneo '-'''-'''' Conductor Mr. Flon
Henry Russell is dead, the age of nearly eighty
eight years. To the younger generation this an
nounoement viii little. for 1t no longer sings
"A Life on the Ocean Wave" "Woodman, Spare
That Tree" THE Old Arm Chair" Cheer. Boys,
Cheeri" and The Ivy Green; but the elder gen
Grafton did sing these songs throughout the length
and breadth OF America. and its more venerable
elements did so under the inspiration OF the COM
poser himself who spent one of the most pros
erous periods OF his life in this sixty years
ago. Russell born at Sheerness on Christmas
Eve 1872 He studied music at Bologna, and was
the friend Of Rossini, Bellini. Donizeth and Bafe
For while he was chorus master at Her MaJes-
tvs Theatre but in 1888 came to America, and re-
mained till 1871 He retired from his public life
as composer and singer long ago. and 1t is said,
made fortune as note broker in London
The words of "A Life on the Ocean Wave were
written by Epes Sargent, who died in Boston in
1880 He told the story nf its composition to Helen
Kendrick Johnson, who printed ii as follows IN her
book ''Orr Familiar Songs and Their Authors:
"A Life On the Ocean Wave" was written for
Henry Russell The subject Of the song was sug-
gested to me as 1 was walking one breezy sun
bright morning in spring on the Battery, IN New
York and looking % out upon the ships snd fne Te
song and walk together went 10 the office of
''The Mirror" wrote out the words. and showed
reading the piece he said: My dear boy this is
not song; IL will never do for music; but II Is
very nice little lyric let take it and publish
that Morris was right Some days after the pub
that song?' asked he. II tried my hand at one
Morris tells me it won't answer And is Morris
IN nfa0e? @ Hand +t me the piece young a man ahe the
corner Of Park Place and Broadway. and see what
We passed through the rusic store. Russell
seated himself at the piano; read over the lines
g # nonpIusssd 11 s Suddenly bright idea seemed to
dawn upon him a melody had all at once hoated
into his brain. and he began to hum It, ana TO
KEYS tentatively few times he at last confidently
LAUNCHED into the air since known as IA LIE on On
all the work Of a few minutes / pronounced
rght Of the song became very valuable though
never got anything from it myself II at once
ing it in the streets. A year two after its pub
ncation. I received from England copies OF five or
six different editions that had been issued there
by competing publishers.
George p Morris, who pronounced against the
value OF "A Life the Ocean Wave" for song
purposes the associate of Nathaniel P. Willis
in conducting those journals. beloved Of our
mothers and grandmothers-'"The Mirror 'HThe
New Mirror" and Home Journal" He wrote
several songs for Russell. the most famous of
which is tor was) ''woodman. Spare That Tree!''
He has left account of how that song came
be written. in the stately and sentimental style
Of period that seems much further removed from
to-day than it really IS:
with friend who was once the expectant heir of
worldly property a blight has recently come. he
invited me to turn down little. romantic wood
5ect? inquired + Merely to look once more at at
costags that Ras once 0 my my The ne piace
IS yours, them" said / NO. my mother sold
the recollection Dear mother!' resumed my com
thaf Old cottage but Il Is nothing gapoy o me- 1ays now
Father. mother. sisters. cottage. all are goneI
me foolish. l don't know how it is / never ride
o1t s turn So%n TINS ane 70 LOOK at the ole
always greet IT familiar and well rernem
friend indeed: it's leaves are ali of now. so You
eow S u 50 bI like fof # + m II s0EOTS Es US % G
when my companion cried out, There it isr' Neai
the tree stood old man. with his coat off
sharpening an axe He Was the occupant up Of tn,
friend in great anxiety. What is that 10 your
was the piunl reply You are not going 10
the wOodman What for?" Inquired my com
panion almost choked with emotion. What for
Why. because think proper DO so. What for
! like thatt Well I'll tell you what for This tre,
makes my dwelling unhealthy-it stands too neal
the house. II renders US liable TO fever and ague
who told you that?' 'Dr. s." Have Won am
other reason for wishing 10 cut il down?' yes
] getting cid, the woods a great way of
was soon convinced. however, that the story a bou
the fever and ague was mere fiction, for Their
had never been case OF that disease in the neigh
borsooo. and was then asked what the tree wa
worth for hrewood Why. when itss down abou
So Suppose make you present Of tina
amount. will you let IL standy' Yes" You ar
70 that effect" drew IL up. 81 was witnessed b,
MS oaughter. the money paid. and we left tn
place with an assurance from the young girl VIII
looked as smiling and beautiful q Young Hebe
mat the tree should stand as long as she lived
pendant 70 this story came from the composer
VINO. recounting some Of his experiences says:
After had sung the noble ballad OF ..ygoodrnan
spAre tnat Tree, at Boulogne. old gentlemal
ssrs1s me @ soolsnce VINO was greatly moved by tn
sI1p4s ana toicnlng beauty OF the words rose AM
Salc; i beg your pardon. Mr. Russell but was m
tree really spared2" wa SAID - - -.
gao 10 hear IT," said he as he took his 60;
anlao the applause or the whole assembly / neve
Fa" sneh excitement In any room
touchlng an American incident which had an q,
ssliis eject upon his career. Russell has also ef