The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-06-08
SUNG THEIR LESSONS
Geography Set to Music an Old
Time Teaching Scheme.
A PLAN OF YANKEE ORIGIN.

One of the Most Popular Airs In the
List Used to Interest the Pupils In
Their Studies Was "AuId Lang
Syne"-"Bonny Doom" Also Liked.
Singing geography was popular
fad in the educational line in New
York in olden days, particularly In up
state school districts. 1t was Of Yam
kee origin. 1t was never made part of
the common school system of the state.
but was taught outside the regular
hours.
A set of wall maps known as Pei
toms outline maps was used. There
were no names Of geographical divi-
sions or places on them. The instruc-
tor would go over the map on which
the lesson was found, pointing out
with a pointing rod the different coun-
tries, cities, rivers, lakes or whatever
might be the subject in hand, and at
the same time the name Of each di-
vision, place or body of water would
be mentioned in song. The teacher,
usually a man, would lead the class
chorus as he pointed, and If the sub
ject happened to be political divisions
the song would run like this. to the
tune Of "Bonny Doom"
Let North America be first
In our descriptive rhyme rehearsed.
It's northern bound the arctic waves.
It's east the Atlantic ocean laves.
The gulf of Mexico we see
Upon its southern boundary.
Its western and southwestern sides
Are washed by the Pacific tides.
The geographical verses were con-
tanned in the pupils text book called
'The Key to Pelton's New and I'M
proved Series Of Outline Maps"
Among other things the following is
found in the preface Of one Of these
old time volumes:
"With respect to the versifcation, 1t
Is merely/necessary to say that the de-
sign has been to put all the important
geographical localities on the globe, In
connection with much valuable matter,
in a form which can be most easily
committed to memory, and 1t is conf
IDENTIFY believed that the exhilarating
effect Of harmonious sounds will great
ly facilitate the acquisition Of this
knowledge, and care has been taken
that none but popular and approved
airs be inserted in the work"
"Auld Lang Syne" appears to have
been regarded as an especially "pop-
ular and approved" air and was often
used. In the very first lesson the pu-
pills were taught to describe the earth
by singing the following to this tune:
The earth is large ball or globe
Whose surface has been found
Three-fourths with ocean waves sub
merged
And but one-fourth dry ground.
Two hundred millions of square miles
Earths surface does embrace.
Eight hundred million people here
All find a dwelling place
Tongue twisting names did not en-
barrass the geographical versifier, al
though the enunciation of all the pu-
pills probably was not perfect when,
for example. in the lesson on Asia
they sang to the air Of "Bruce's Ad-
dress" such lines as these;
Now in modulations sweet
Asia's rivers we repeat.
Obi first in Russia greet,
Irish river next.
Lost In sand behold Helmund,
Then northward seek Yarkund;
Be not turbid Oxus summed;
Sihon river see.
Ural river next in place,
Attruck and Koor river trace;
KILL Irmak then embrace
In our melody.
There were thlrty-one states In the
Union when singing geography was in
vogue, and the pupils were taught to
bound each of them In verse. Cali
fornia was then the newest state, hav-
ing been admitted in 1850; was the last
on the list, and its boundaries were
thus defined:
On california's northern side vast Oregon
is placed.
Both Utah and New Mexico upon the east
are traced,
Upon its southern borders next may Mex
leo be found.
And broad Pacihc's sparkling waves COM
pose its western bound.
In thirty-four stanzas set to the
tune Of "Bonny Doom" the geography
class would make tour of Europe
and CLEAN bits of information about
various countries and cities visited.
The tour would start In this fashion:
Now be our geographic rhymes
Transferred to European climes.
The grand divisions first We teach
With the metropolis of each.
Norway, region bleak and cold.
By Christiania is controlled.
Sweden that Charles the hero bred.
Takes Stockholm for its chief and head.
Russia In proud expansion sits
And to st. Petersburg submits.
Austria. with its imperial crown,
Vienna takes for its chief town.