The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-06
Milton TRADER in The Billboard.
X XR. DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT,
NH who was best known n 6 the alIthor


X \ R. DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT
MI who was best known as the author
~ of Dixie Land, the soul-stirring
negro melody, which served as a rallying
song in two of the worlds greatest wars
was another of those famous men born
in the good old Buckeye State. which has
become>famous as the home of Presidents
He was born in Mount Vernon, Knox
county. Ohio October 20, 1915. He died
June %. 1904, aged SO years old.
Almost everybody knows the good old
song Dixie. Its delightful music is as in
spring to every true born American as
Yankee Doodle. The Old Folks at Home,
Home, Sweet Home. or The Star Spangled
Banner. and other classic melodies. And
yet very few whose hearts have danced
to its strains have known mucA if any
thing, concerning it's author.
The writer, who made Mr. Emmett's ac-
quaintance in 1868, at the old Strauh
House. Hamilton, O., can't help hearing
the strains of Dixie softly waited across
the water of time, which reach his ears
whenever Mr.. Emmett's name is men,
SoCo
old noblemen, whose memory will never
fade. s
Dan Emmett was not only notable as
the originator of Dixie, but also as one
of the pioneer Big Four blackface come
dams, who invented modern American
minstrelsy. "Uncle Dam Emmett, for
that used to be the genial minstrel's term
of address, once told the writer the story
of how he came to write his now cele-
brated song. II wrote Dixie like every
thing else I ever did, because it had to
be DONE and I can tell you, Milt. that in
those days, most of our songs were CON-
posed without much preparation, but
came to us quick as thought. I was en-
gagged in the spring of 1859, at New York
city, 472 Broadway, with Bryant's Min
strels. One of my particular tasks was
to compose comic negro and plantation
songs I was also basso in the quartet
One Saturday night after the perform
ance, Mr.. Bryant overlook me on my
way home and requested me to compose
a new plantation, walk around one, with
a lively tune and catchy chorus. that
the boys could learn quickly and sing
through the streets, so as to make II
popular. Make 1t good and strong said
Bryant, as he was leaving me. We've
got to list a new attraction, DAM ~
Next day being Sunday. and very
rainy one at that, l was compelled to
remain indoors, so set to work on the
song. At first could do nothing. My
store of thoughts suitable for the de-
sired song seemed exhausted. went to
my room window and looked out into the
street. The cold rain was beating and
driving down, and my thoughts went back
to the good old White Top days time
when was travelling with circus. When
caught in Indictment weather in the north
the negroes with the circus were often
won't to wish they were in Dixie land
Then sentence, Il wish was in Dixie,
kept repeating itself in my mind. Dis
couraged, went back to the desk and
set 1t down, and the rest came easy. In
20 minutes the words and music were
complete, and that's the whole truthful
story, Milt, Of how Dixie came to be
written. Dixie was just what Bryant
wanted for the next week. When we
arrived in New York city the boys were
actually whistling it In the streets. II
made a great hit at once, and I sang
1t every night 1t was composed and
sung north at least IS months before II
was even sung in the SOUTH when the
Confederates adopted it as their national
song, and then the south took it and
claimed 1t as its own. Dixie undoubtedly
twill Ia
out of the rough, undisciplined southern
soldiers, and when played before a bat
tie nerved them for the mighty strug.
gle that was to follow. The officers real
lied the value of this favorite song, and
when the men were disheartened and
discouraged. the band would strike VI
Dixie, and the hardened veterans would
be moved to tears. ready to die for theii
beloved Dixie Land.
II being northern man, good union
list, and the proven author of both words
and music of the song, was the only mar
allowed to sing it in any theatre or other
place of amusement north of Mason ant
Dixon's line.' 1t Is now often sung uni.
versally north, accompanied with as loud
yell' as was ever heard in the south
neglected to issue 1t until 1t was claimed
as common property by, everybody. After
l had published it. had to prove author.
ship to keep from being sued for infringe.
ment on other peoples rights"
The south did have q sort of claim upor
Emmett's song, nevertheless. for he was
born Of southern parentage. even though
his birth did take place outside of Dixie.
His father was Virginian and his motheI
Marylander. ~