Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-15
DONE In PHILADELPHIA

of the Tooth anniversary Of the writing Of Keys
immortal song, let us glance moment at Phila-
dephia's share in popuari2ing that anthem
Whenever song achieves enormous popu-
larity there usually appears on the untroubled
waters n controversy that is carried over from
one generation to another. SO 1t has been
with Keys song, which, like Hopltnsons Hail.
Columbial" did not originally bear the title by
which It is now known to countless millions
The controversy in this instance however,
does not reflect upon Francis Scott Key but
RACES around the identity Of the composer OF
the music Like many another controversy OF
similar character, this one has been settled
good many times to the satisfaction of some
of the disputants; nevertheless, there seems
to be a good deal needed to entirely clear the
atmosphere. Phladelphan, too, has engaged
in this entertaining occupation, but 1t is not
about him that want to chat today.
1t was in the pages of a Philadelphia maga-
zine, the Anaectic, which In Its time was the
foremost monthly in this country. and not sur
passed by any In London, that Keys poem
first received q printed form that might be
called permanent. AT that time, also, It stl
was unnamed.
Key wrote his poem, Is very well known,
while he was on a British ship that was en-
gagged in the bombardment of Fort McHenry
In September, 1914. 1t is descriptive of his
thoughts and feelings, aroused as they were
to high pitch of patriotism, and when he
returned to Baltimore after the unsuccessful
bombardment he gave the manuscript to
friend, who soon had 1t put in type in one Of
the Baltimore newspaper offices.
It was entitled 1.-THE Defense Of Fort Me-
Henry" but even this rather weak title for
so lusty song could not destroy Its influence.
1t was by all odds the best poem produced
during the War of 1912, and, usual Key
did not know that he doing the best thing
of its kind ever renned Genius nearly always
fails to recognize itself. Some one has to place
the wreath of fame their brow before they
understand.
The poem was printed in nearly every
paper of the time It to the
editors hand But when the editor of the
Analectc, at that time Washington Irving,
the poem In the newspapers, he did the
best he could to bestow the wreath.
He placed 1t at the head of the poetry in the
November number OF the Analectio, 1914, and
introduced 1t with description of the circum-
stances under which it written At the
time he wrote that it far too valu-
able piece of verse to permit to be lost.
Thus it about that the first literary
recognition of the star-spangled Banner came
from Philadelphia magazine.
But there is another chapter to this.
The first man to sing the star-spanged Ban
also Philadelphia, and his descend
ants have aroused great deal Of controversy
because OF slight remarl; he made about
the circumstances of this first public singing
OF the immortal song.
To be exact. there was not one who sang the
song first. but two. the brothers, Charles and
Ferdinand Durang. These young men, who
the sons OF performer in the old Chest
nut Street Theatre, also were connected with
the theatrical profession. Charles Durang was
n dancing master here for years and wrote a
history of the Philadelphia theatres. Both of
the Durangs enlisted in tho Harrisburg Blues
when there was call for volunteers to repeI
tho British who were going strong in tho
neghborhood of the Chesapeake They wero
in camp near Baltimore and stationed at Felrs
Point.
They were in Baltimore after the at
tack on the fort and there were handed copy
OF the poem. Now. here is where the con-
troversy begins.
According to Charles Durang's version Of this
event. he read over the song and said to his
brother, This would make a good national
song" And thereupon he began to search for
n piece of music that would 1T the words He
said that he went through his trunk and pulled
forth a well-known song, then very popular /
entitled TO Anacreon In Heaven" and de-
cided that It was Just the thing,
OF course, the words did Mt They fitted to |
a ncrty, because evidently Key had the meter
of the drinking song in his head at the time ,
he wrote. 1t was not the FIRST time the same |
music had been used to the words of an Amer
ican patriotic song. There was adams and |
Liberty" written by Robert Treat Paine II .
years previously. and at this time widely known .
1t is probable that Key knew it better than he
did the original ITO Anacreon in Heaven" |
which was an English song sung by tho Anac-
reontic Society, which he thought was tho air
to which his song should he sung
Yet, on tho strength Of that remark about
finding piece OF music to fit, some attempts
have been made to bellttle Durang's version NJ
how the song was first sung in public.
1t is well TO remember that those who would
Geny Durang the honor he claims for bIrrs.I,
and brother have not attempted 10 des,gnato
any other place or circumstance under ,rt.,
the song first received its public presentation
In his valuable treatise on our so-cHIIed ma
tional songs Mr.. Sonneok, OF the Ifbrery %
Congress gives a list Of moro than 40 bocks
articles and other material that refer 10 the
history Of that one song Mr. sonDcr-,s t,o,
was printed five yenrs ago and / lelf.,. to
would now be compelled % even dnulr. tr.
length Of his list.
As to the real authorship Of the music ,ae
result of the various controversies thus far has
been to even further obscure the pofnr
The Rev Or. II. T, Henri, president ,f ,b.
Catholic High School for Boys. and Dr. cr.t-
tan fIood have been engaged m one Of the
most elaborate controversies about the origin