The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-20
Kaiser's Soldiers Hearts Laid
Bare by . Song.
A Sad Story Comes From the
German Ranks.
MUSIC MOVES GRIM MEN
Concerts Help While Away
Dreary Hours in Trenches.
But Old Home Songs Bring
Sad, Sad Thoughts.

With the Left Wing OF the German
Army, Tfacourt. France. Nov. 90.
This is a story of the men who form
one of the great human slaughter ma
chimes Of Europe in tears. 1t is a
story of how the real human hearts
OF men. whose chief occupation now
is to kill. showed through their eyes
as they sang Of home and loved ones.
A story has been cabled of the
"Gesangverein.' or Choral Society,
which has been organized by the Ger
mans in one Of the trenches north of
hours and days. Most of their singing
is done in the deep black trench.
There is the dense fog, the gray,
ghost-like figures OF the soldiers: rifles
ready for instant use rest across the
protecting ridge of earth. pointed to-
ward the enemy's line only 500 yards
away. The stiffness is broken only
by the booming of artillery in the dis
tance-and then song wells forth
from the men whose voices may soon
be stilled forever.
But today the "Gesangverein'' sang
in the old French church at Tiacourt
The company had just come in for a
rest after several days and nights in
the trenches. There was a soft. dim
light in the old church. The "sing-
ing society of soldiers stood in the
choir loft. Other soldiers and officers
sat on hard wooden, bench-like pews.
Scores OF soldiers stood in the aisles.
There was intense silence. Then
the musical director raised his baton.
ssThe Day OF the Lord"
ut Is the Day OF the Lord" welled
out in rich musical tones. It was sung
with the deepest feeling. AS the an
them swelled forth a religious feryor
shone in tie faces of the soldiers.
Among those in the pews and stand
t. t. h. tel A~
heads bowed-lips moved In silent
prayer.
The anthem Is ended. There is q
moment Of impressive silence and the
soldier voices ring out in Dear Faith
erland. My Beloved Fatherland."
Heads are raised, shoulder squared.
Patriotic exa1tation comes into tho
faces-the love OF country for which
they are sacrificing their lives. Again
the music ceases and once more the
leader raises his baton for he next
song. 1t is s"Meine Heimat Is An
Dem Schooner Rhein" my Home Is
on the Beautiful Rhine"). 1t sweeps
softly through the church. There il
Ia movement among the soldiers.
Ghins drop on breasts, faces soften,
/ the patriotic fire IN the eyes disap-
pears before q softer, gentler CLEAN.
,, A French woman. leading two little
children by the hands comes up the
| aisle from the door anu AucclB LIE
! front Of the dark altar. soldier at
the end Of the bench leans over and
| touches the hair of the little girl with
his lips. Two great tears roll down
| the bearded cheek Of a soldier nearby,
struggling with some great emotion.
! His arms are partly outstretched as
If reaching to clasp some one in them.
In his eyes there is the expression OF
the most intense longing man may
know-the longing for home and
loved ones.
Never, never will see my home;
never will I see them again-ft tells
me so.'' he softly whispers.
The song Of home Is ended. The
French woman and her two little chill
dren still kneel before the altar. Si-
lently the soldiers begin to leave the
church. The concert Of the "Gesang-
verein'' is ended. Within a few days
these men will be back in the
trenches, a part of a war machine, but
, today a song laid their hearts bare.