The Irish standard., 1904-05-07
"1RELANDs OWN"
The Famous Band Balks At "God Save
the King"


fit Of the seamen's charities, which
marks every voyage Of every transat-
lantic liner, was going on swimmingly
on Friday night on the Cunarder Etru.
ria, which arrived yesterday, says the
New York Times of April "a. On the
liner was the famous band known as
''Ireland's own" and the band, as the
principal attraction on the program,
bad rendered several selections. Ac-
cording to the program the band was
to close the concert. Now, on board all
vessels that fly the flag of Britain this
concluding number is always "God
Save the King"
Besides the band there were in the
saloon, as participants and listeners,
about 100 other sons and daughters Of
the Emerald Isle. The concert had
been a great success; Miss Marie Ma
relle, the Irish-Australian prima donna,
had sung; Miss Josephine Glynn, the
medal harpist of Ireland, had played,
humor when the chairman announced
that the concert would close with God
Save the King" by "Ireland's Own"
band.
The Irish band didn't see it that way,
though. Every musician laid down his
instrument and one by one left the
saloon. The Englishmen, of course, re-
manned, as we'll as the Americans
They knew that "God Save the King"
was going to be played in some style
or other, but by whom or on what they
could not imagine.
At this point an officer of the COM
pany got to work, and in a few min
utes two staid English stewards en-
tered the saloon. The first walked to
the piano and sat down. The other
pulled a flute from underneath his
jacket, and ''God Save the King was
produced. The stewards were good
performers, and as they concluded they
were greeted by salvo of cheers from
those who would have slept very little
that night had not King Edwards an,
them been played.
| The band that caused the commo-
ton is composed of 60 musicians, and
is the most famous of lreland's musical
organizations. its members are
among the 135 people of Irish birth
who came over OH the Etruria, and who
are to be the principal attraction at
the st. Louis exposition. The other Is
in the party are lace and carpet weav-
ers, singers, clog and Jig dancers, and
a dramatic company of - persons, who
will interpret the Gaelic works of Will
liam Butler Yeats. Denis Roche is the
star of the company.
The lacemakers, among whom are the
two greatest experts in all Ireland
Miss Girnon and Mrs. Lupton, bring
with them for exhibition $4,000 worth
of the laces. The carpet weavers are
all from Donegal, and of the - who
came over five had never prior to this
trip been more than five miles from
Donegal in their lives. They had neve
seen a railroad train or steamship
Miss Narelle, the prima donna, ant
the harpist, Miss Glynn, are also in tn
party, as are also number Of singers
All in all the party made one of tn
handsomest delegations that ever land
ed at this port.
On the pier to welcome the delega
ton were representatives of the Unite
Irish League, the Dublin club an
various other Irish organizations.
t reception and banquet was rendered til
+. party at the Vendome, after which the
I, took special train for St. Louis. 1
7 the cargo of the Etruria were Is tons Q
! the soil of Ireland, which is going to s.
Louis.