The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1914-05-20

There's no place like Home
There is quite a difference of opinion con
corning the composer and origin OF the melody
Parke IN his Musical Memoirs says that the air
Is from a German opera, while other authorities
agree in calling It Sician air adapted by Sir
Henry Rowley Bishop There are numerous
iabricatons concerning It's authorship but
Charles Mackay. the distinguished English poet
and journalist. in writing The London Telc-
graph" with view OF putting an end to such
controversies stated that in one of the many con
vcrsations which he had had with the gifted mu-
stefan. Sir Henry Rowlcy Bishop. he was ia
vorcd with the whole story Sir Henry told the
English poet that while he was completing the
"Mclodic, OF Various Nations he found that he
had Sican melody worthy OF reproduction
and he therefore. invented one which i the now
well-known melody OF Home, Sweet Home"
Payne continued his residence in London un-
I'll 1882 when his ill-succcss led him to return TO
the United States and nine years later received
the appointment OF American Consul at Tunis
In lsIs Payne returned To- the United States
While he was in Washington, during the close
Of his last visit to this country. he witnessed the
most soul stirring scene of his whole career II
was IN December 1850 while Jenny Lind
making her triumphant tour through the United
States She gave one OF her concerts in the great
national hall at Washington and Payne occu-
pied front seat Her audience had been en-
tranccd by the rendition OF her lovely melodies,
when she suddenly turned to where Payne was
seated and sang Home. Sweet Home" with such
feeling a pathos that the audience was moved
with excitement and enthusiasm. Payne was
thrilled with rapture at this unexpected eompli-
mcnt Again in 1851 he returned to TuniS
American Consul His following words show
that he experienced mingllng of unusual pleas
ure and sorrow: How often have been in the
heart OF Paris. Berlin. London some other
city and have heard persons singing or hand.
organs playing Sweet Home" without having
a shilling to buy myself the next meal or place
to lay my head The world has literally sung my
song until every heart is familiar with its mel
ody yet ! have been a wandercr from my boy
hood My country has turned ruthlessly
from office and in my old age | have to submit
Africa on the 10Th day OF April, 1882 without
a relative or friend az his bedside He
buried in 81. Georges Cemetery. overlooking the
Bay OF TuniS and suitable monument was
erected TO his memory
William II c. Hosmer has well expressed
the remarkable an,itheSis between his fame and
his fate IN the following lines
Unhappy Payne'-no pleasure grounds were
thine.
With rustic seats o'crshadowed by the vine;
No children grouped around thy chair in glce
Like blossoms clinsing to the paren, tree;
No wife to cheer thy mission upon earth,
And share thine hours Of sorrow and of mir,h
Or greet thy coming with loves purcst kiss.
Joy that survives the wreck of Edcn's bliss
Hands of the stranger, ring the mournful knell-
Homeless the bard who sang Of home we'll
His res,essness did not seem to end after his
death In 1898 w w Corcoran the noted phil
anthropiSt OF Washington. who, when a boy had
seen Payne act, had his remains transferred from
Tunis to Washington When the body reached
Washington II was placed in the Corooran Art
Gallery. and the burial took place in Oak Hill
Cemetery on June 10. 1888 The President OF
the United States his cabinet and military
cort formed part of the cortege while thousand
Of, and 81 .,,,,, al