The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-10-08
Irish Music is Laden With Charms
of the Most Lasting and
Touching Kind.
In Olden Times it Flourished Bes,
in the Humble Cabins of
the Poor.
It Furnishes the Best Criterion
for the Character of the
Irish People.

Much has been written On the sub
ject of Irish music in the past and
no doubt the future will see new
things written on the same theme.
But here Is an extract from the writ
ings of the eminent DR.. Petrie which
deserves place with the best that
has been said about the art for which
Ireland has long been famous
Time will roll on and carry on its
| wings the arts and luxuries of a new
civilization, obeliterating all the men,
| orials Of the old world, all the natural
strength and freedom and tenderness
that belong to man in his simpler
which he has expressed in his work.
| and in his less artificial state, and
But the depths of feeling that are ex-
pressed in the natural work of man
| in this state of imperfect civilization,
and particularly in the original music
which comes directly from the heart,
untrammelled by rules, will, however
simple, possess charms Of q more last
ing and touching kind to those who
retain the pure simplicity Of mans
nature than the finest work produced
by the brain or the fancy of the most
age.
The music of Ireland has hitherto
been the exclusive property of the
peasantry-the descendants of the an
cient inhabitants Of the country. 1t is
characteristic of their ardent and i'm
passioned temperament and express
sive of the tone of feeling that has
been the exclusive property Of the
peasantry-the descendants of the an
characteristic of their ardent and i'm
passioned temperament. the express
sive of the tone Of feeling that has
been for ages predominant. The upper
class are different race-a race who
possess no national music; or, If any,
one essentially different from that of
Ireland.
They were insensible of its beauty,
for it breathed not their feelings; and
they resigned 1t to those from whom
they took everything else, because 1t
was jewel of whose worth they
would add to the stock of 1dish melo-
dy must seek it, not in the halls of
the great, but in the cabins Of the
poor. He must accept the frank hos
pitality of the peasants humble hearth
or follow him as he tolls in his daily
labors; but he must choose a season
to do so-unlike the frightful sum-
mer of 1922 when even "the song of
sorrow was only heard embodied
with the song of DEATH
It is a great error to suppose that
all the valuable melodies in Ireland
have been gathered. I am satisfied
and I speak from experience, having
for very many years been a jealous
labor in this way-I am satisfied
that not half of the ancient music of
the country has yet been saved from
the danger Of extinction. What a loss
would these be to the world! How
many moments Of the most delightful
enjoyment would be lost to thousands
upon thousands, by the want of those
most deeply touching strains. Dear
music of my country! I cannot speak
Of it without using the language OF
enthusiasm; I cannot think of it with
out feeling my heart glow with ten
derness and pride! Well may Ireland
exult in the possession of such strains;
but she will exult more when freedom
shall bid her indulge the proud feel
ings that Of right belong to her!
If the character of people were to
be judged by It's national music-and
is there a truer criterion?-where, in
the world, would there be found q
. people of more intense sensibility-
that sensibility which though it may
| In its unconlned expansion often ex-
! ceed the limits within which cold pru-
dencs would confine 1t, is still the root
Of all genious, and the source Of every
generous feeling!
l rn,,1d xuo e,,pnoao q tein0 ~ opnf1,.