The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-02-25

Woman's World: An observer once
said that he didn't care who made
the nations laws so long as he could
write its songs. And moments
thought will show that songs are In
deed to be reckoned among the serl
GUS influence, Of life. The French
revolution affords an illustration OF
their power. The royalists were
cheered by the strains of o Richard
but they were defeated by the more
stirring notes of the Marseillaise.
When hearts we're heavy in our own
revolution, what was it that put new
life in the men Of rs? The shril. pip
ing of Yankee Doodle was doubtlessly
responsible for more than one impor-
tant American victory.
In the Civil war, too, it would be
almost impossible to exaggerate the
influence of Dixie, John Browns Body,
Maryland and other rousing songs.
Nor is the power of melody confined
to warlike themes. Lead Kindly
Light and Nearer My God to Thee
have probably had greater effect
upon mankind than any two laws that
were ever placed upon the statute
books.
Love, too. has an attentive ear to
music. 1t is moved profoundly by
such sweet tunes as Annis Laurie
and When You Were Sweet Sixteen.
History also testifies that Throughout;
the ages, love has ever walked HAND
in hand with the ballad singer anr
tho minstrel.
Without doubt then it may be &C
cepted that songs have a deep infiu-
ence upon mankind. This influence
should always be for good. But we
sometimes, indeed in these days often,
find it working for evil.
the shocking decline which has le-
Gently taken place in American song
writing.
Think OF the tender humanity in
that old favorite, My Old Kentucky
Home. And then think of such near
filth as oh You Beautiful Doll ana
those similar outbursts which stand
at the head of our popular songs to-
day.
Truly, the old order changeth.
Let us consider, for moment, what
wonderful thing is the spread of a
popular song.
Suppose the president Of the nation
rises today and, dealing with a SUD-
ject Of vital influence to our welfare,
speaks few sentences of wisdom.
How many would be able to repea,
his words month hence?
Would thousand men have them
stored away in m smory?
But suppose that a catchy popular
song is launched, with some such re,
frain as
Polly Wolly used to work
But she's too wise now!"
In a few short months it will be
known by millions.
1t is interesting to trace the popular
song to its lair and to see its effect.
We will start first at the thsater,
and we select theater in New York,
because New York is the spawning
ground OF tho countryi5 popular songs.
The scene within the theater re-
fleets fashion and worldly wisdom. I,
might be said that the audience is
above the average both in manners
ana intellect.
Here is j man of middle age escort.
ing some female relative from the
country. She looks around with ap.
probation, noting the styles, uncoa
sciously modelling herself according
to the patterns around her.
The play Is interpolated by songe
Some of these ara received in silence;
some with slight applause.
But when the leading comedian
comes forward in the second act and
sings,
IF YOU TALK IN YOUR SLEEP
DON'T MENTION MY NAME
then indeed the applause Is deafen,
ing and the audience demands en-.
cores until the comedian is exhausted
Imagine the effect of 1t upon the Wis
itor to the city. Imagine it's effect
upon the men and women of the audi.
enca.
But, after all, its effects are simple
enough. They require but very little
imagination. The audience is simply
being taught TO regard marriage as a
joke 1t is simply being taught tina;
ths breaking OF matrimonial vows is
universal and sprightly habit a.
ways to be greeted with approval and
applause.
The theaters are for the thousands
But the movies are for the millions.
And there Is no audience so ripe, sc
rar>ripe, TO receive impressions as q
moving picture audience.
1t includes the poor, the uneducat
ed, the unfortunate, the almost idle
and above all, the young.
BY their faces they show how they
respond to impressions. Their laugh
ter is spontaneous; their tears ar,
real