The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

hered by those familiar with the
song:
IF we try we may forget"
The effect Of the separation was
TO crush the young man. and. writ
Ing TO a friend twenty-six years
after the occurrence. he said:
I doubt If even to this day all
dark lines are erased from my
heart"
He resigned hts pastorate and
sought another field, smotherinE his
pain under hard study and work.
And the only sign OF that pain the
world ever saw was the heart-crv
In the song Of 'LOrena." In 1885
Rev Webster was residing IN Ra-
cine. Wis. where he met J. p. Web
ster, the composer. who. though OF
the same name, was not related TO
him. They soon became very intf-
mate. J. p. Webster was doing con-
siderable writing Of music, but had
trouble finding appropriate words
for songs.
The Rev. Mr.. Webster told him he
would write him the words for a
song. and in two days he produced
one entitled Bertha" a mere fancy
name. When the composer came TO
set the music he wanted name Of
three sylIabIes. accented on the sec
ond, and the author made I'D the
name 'Lorena." The young lady
who called out the words OF this
sentimental song was not Lorena.
however, nor Bertha. but Ella,
Ella Blocksom.
The 'Lorena" OF the song later
married Judge w. W. Johnson. Of
Ironton, Ohio, a member Of the ST.
preme Court of the State. Mr. Web
ster subsequently married and lived
in Neenah. Wis. where he became
the editor OF a local paper.
Because 'Lorena" became popu-
lar during the war many people
were under the impression that it
was composed during that period.
The early copies. however. bear the
inscription. Entered according 10
act Of Congress, 1857"
The song was a great favorite
with Gen. John 3. Magruder. and
probably got into the army from his
headquarters IN the Peninsula in
1852. The tune was a plaintive one
and easily within the capacity Of
the amateur, and this added 10 It's
popularity.
Little less a favorite than To
rena" was the heroine's reply. en-
titled Paul Vane," and the history
Of the first song would hardly be
complete without the words of the
second.
Paul Vane.
The yea. are creeping slowly BY dear Paul.
The winters c0ms and 20;
The wind sweeps past with rouruful CIV. dear
Paul.
And pelt my face with STOW.
But there's no snow upon the heart dear Paul;
It's sumner always there:
Thoss early loves throw sunshine over al,
Ard sweeten mem'ries dear.
I thought It easy 20 forget, dear PAuli
Life glow'd with youthful hope;
Tho glorious future cleaned yet. dear Paul,
And babe US Chamber W.
They frUWuing said 1T must not-oannot be:
Break now the hopeless bandsP
And. Paul. you know how well that bitter day
bent to their c0mmandA
I've kept you ever in my heart, dear Paul.
IhTo' years Of good and IL;
Our souls could not be tora apart, dear Paul.
They're bound together stu.
aeser knew how dear you were to ne
I'll was left alone;
thought my poor heart would break the day
They told me you were gone
Perhaps vel never. never meet, dear Paul.
Upon this earth again;
But there where happy angels greet, dear Paul.
You'll meet Lorena there
Together ever up the ever shining way
Wen press with hoping heart
Together thro' tho bright eternal day
And never more to part
While paul vane" was not as
melodlous as "Lorena," yet IN the
OLD days where the words OF the
one was round In the home the 9TH
er invariably was also found.
he Press Company