Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-19
SONGS OF OLD DAYS
Paper Read Before the Oldest
Inhabitants.
APRIL MEETING HELD
ME-. JAMES CRoGGoN INDUCES
IN "REMINISCENCES.
APRIL MEETING HELD
Commissioner Biddle an Honorary
Member-Copy Of Washington's
Farewell Address Presented.

The April meeting Of the Association OF
the Oldest Inhabitants of the District OF
Columbia was held recently at its room in
the Corcoran building with Mr.. s. I. Brown
serving as president. and Mr. B. w. Reiss,
secretary. The death of w. D. Crampsey
was announced by the secretary reading
the notice that had appeared in The Star.
A letter was received from COL John
Biddle Engineer Commissioner Of the Dis
trict, acknowledging. with thanks, his cleo
ton as an honorary member.
Mr.. r. M. A. Fenwick was reported by
Mr.. Cotton has having been severely injured
by q fall which has rendered him help
less.
A letter was read from Mr.. James w.
Clarke, inclosing receipts and other papers
bearing the signatures Of former Mayors
SeatoI and Wallach. for which thanks were
returned. =
Mr. Tilley. for Mr.. Walter B. Williams,
presented a framed copy of Washington's
farewell address and copies Of the laws Of
the corporations of Washington and George
town the former dated 1924 and the latter
1881. and a resolution expressing thanks
therefor was adopted.
Mr.. Nicholas Watkins suggested that the
association should hold a memorial meeting
at least once year in commemorat1on OF
the deceased members and after discus
sion resolution was adopted fixing the
date Of the December meeting for that pur-
pose.
Mr.. James Croggon read a paper on the
songs Of old days in which he said:
At the recent banquet celebrating the
anniversary Of the Association of the Old
est Inhabitants of the District Of Column
bia 1.-THE Sword of Bunker HIP was sung
by our friend Sam Cross. and as old ears
heard the notes Of this once-familiar pa
triotic song, not only was the sentiment
felt. but there seemed to arise visions of
M n1pfh hn nf q
few survivors Of the old revolution were
recalled. and larger number Of the "old
defenders" who had served in their last
war-that of 1912. Not a few of US felt
membrance Of the songs OF the old days
the names OF local singers, some of whom
have long since passed away.
Among these were Dick Tongue. John
Colby, Bob Goggin. John Parsons. Benz.
Greenup, John H. Hewitt. ''Timid" Will
liams. Bob Connel Bob Handy, Joe Dan
iels, John Abby. Charley Hawks Jake Tob-
Ter. George Taylor Cody" Pete Dubant,
Asbury Tucker, Tom Lloyd, Bob Ball and
John Golden.
Musical Talent Abundant
It is learned that In the days of our
grandfathers-say from 1900 to 1S30-there
was no dearth of singing material in guam
tity or variety, albeit negro minstrel songs
were in their infancy and rag time" had
ton had received but limited attention
there was much singing by ear, and it is
needless to say much enjoyment there was
for listeners.
In many of the towns, the lodge rooms
and homes, songs were heard, and in the
former there was often instrumental music
as an accompaniment to liquid refresh
ment.
In private houses Singing bees" were
frequently held and In some neighborhoods
what might be called singing clubs enlivened
life. While the different nationalities pre-
served their native songs, those of the
English, Scotch and Irish birth or descent
together wi n the native born as we'll as
others who had learned the language sang
much in concert. The Germans, however
enjoyed their own music, but gradually as
simulated with others
In concert hall, home workshop and even
the prisons the songs of the day were sung.
and some few remember occasions when both
white and colored prisoners in Jail made
melody in the evening. Over sixty years
ago young white man who was In the
Blue Jug" as the Jail was called attract
ed many hearers by his ballads and when
he was released he became one of the lead
Ing singers OF the day, giving concerts
throughout the country. Some Of you will
remember OF hearing how the time of the
as "old King Cole" Betsy Baker, to the
Matter Be- "Poor Old Maids ids ian "M tas
Brooks" Polly Put the Kettle On" GILES
scroggins Courted Molly Brown" ''Heigho,
Says Rowly," Spider and Fly 'Landlady
Leave the Girls Alone were favorites in
stag parties and were often used as re-
storation to good humor in the family.
These were mostly from old England. as
Thank Providence" and others by Dibdin,
prime favorites. Among many others were:
The Loss of the Albion BAY of Biscay,"
VIII Walch. Minute Gun at Sea-. Black
We'd Cyyo nvat' C,fJ
swer). Possibly the most popular of ali the
sailor songs was that known as "Mary's
Dream, written before the revolution by
John Lowe. who came to America and set
tied In Virginia, where he died. The tune
was much used as a funeral march and ia
no stranger to our years.
In patriotic songs and tunes there was no
dearth, as the revolution and the chara cters
and incidents in the life of the new republic
had led to numbers of compositions, vocal
and instrumental.
March Dedicated to Washington.
"a Washington's march inspired by the
war clouds gave its tune to Hopkinson's
lines of Hail Columbia" 1.-THE Humors of
Glen" favorite tune with the continental
army, was much in evidence especially
when McCreary, prior to the war of 1872.
wrote the American Star" which fitted the
ar an, ADAMS and Liberty" was famous
old song over hundred years ago. sung
70 very old tune called "Anacreon In
Heaven" When after the bombardment
of Fort McHenry the "Star Spangled Ran
ner was written the tune was transferred
to 1t and became with the song national.
OF the many songs of patriotic Sentiment
launched one called Hail, Great Republic
of the World was given the tune of ..Rule
Britannia, which retarded any considerable
popularity it would otherwise have gained
for its sentiment suited Americans. "Co,
lumbia! Columbia! to Glory Arise became
quite favorite- Hail to the Brave and
Free" from the stage obtained considerable
favor, and 1t reached the masses Hail
to the Chief" from Walter Scott, "See the
Conquering Hero Comes and "The Girl I
left Behind Me" were much sung but few
now hear the words
Events and herdes of the war of 1912 were
celebrated by many songs, scarcely any
prominent officer or occurrence failing rec
ignition. In this section some had much
popularity The Hunters Of KEN
lucky" celebrating the battle of New Or
leans and other exploits of jackson, long
was leading song, and despite the popu-
larity 1t retained because of the subject by
Its pleasing old tune kept II before the pub
lie many years. THE Parliament of Eng
land was plainly addressed on its past
losses as the doctrine of free trade and
sailors rights made plain was a taking
piece. especially as was Johnny Bull NV 10
john" sungsto John Anderson" in which
| numerous Victories foI<5