Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-29
BRINGING THE CAMPFIRE TO THE HOME
BY MARTIAL AIR>AND PATRIOTIC SONG
Memories of the Boys in Khaki Can Be Recalled Through
Stirring Melodies and Tender Ballads Victor, Edison
or Columba-Many Records Available
BY the Photograph Editor

THE second Mexican war" has not yet
Il created any popular songs nor inspired
the flute to shrill defiance OF The enemy or
the hettledrums to a martial tattoo, In any
original sense. In fact, the literature OF our
war songs Is not particularly extensive as
many of the pieces born of the moment
have served their brief day and ceased TO be.
few worthy ballads and martial airs
have been survivals and serve TO stir the
American pulse and Are the American
heart But they are few, though sufficient
and more than sufficient for the purpose.
Out OF the Spanish-American War not
song Is remembered by the general public.
Many were written, but few were worth
while.
The Revolution of course gave US Yankee
Doodle, though the source OF the tune is
much farther back and abroad at that. But
y 10 associated with the Minute Men and
the ragged Continentals. Philadelphias
own Francis Hopkinson son of the the
signer and the first graduate OF tho Univer-
lsty of Pennsylvania, wrote Hall Colum-
bia" at time of somewhat similar crisis to
this when war was imminent in 1893 and
washington was called from his retirement
to head the army of the new republic, 1t
has more than more historical Significance,
as the words are dignifed, though a bit for
NAL and the melody la inspiriting,
1t was the war of 1919, OF course, that
gave us national anthem 30 far as we
have one that is official, .The Star-Spangled
Banner" of Francis Scott Key. II Is so
recognized by thet Army and Navy regu-
lations. taking salute whenever played.
In America" the Rev. DR.. Samuel
Smith, of whom oliver Wendell Holmes
wrote in THE Old Boys" that nature tried
to conceal him, but unsuccessfuly, under
his by no means infrequent cognomen, sim
ply wrote words 10 a melody that belonged
to other countries as national air, but my
ffT!.
orally called iy popular because the tune Ia
fluent with limited range, easy intervals
and simple rhythm. 1t does not belong
to any particular military period.
The largest number of survivals are from
the Civil War. Leading all In merit, both
of text that is authentic poetry and In
spring solemn melody. Is Julia Ward Howe's
Battle Hymn OF the Republic" the melody
being based on tune of uncertain, almost
folk origin, John Browns Body Lies a
Moldering in the Ground" Works "March-
ing Through Georgia" and Roots "rentlng
on the Old Camp Ground" are ballads of
sufficient appeal to have endured from that
day to this as relicts of the songs that
cheered the Union soldiers. or the many
songs of the Confederacy, Randall's Mary
land, My Maryland" (the melody adapted
from the German yuletide fok-song Tan
nenbaum'), and Emmett's "Dixie" are the
chief survivors of the test of time.
Curiousy enough, no song of the Mexican
War of 1S47-S attained sufficient popularity
TO linger in memory.
But there are plenty of martial airs to
inspire the troops at Mount Gretna and the
other mobilization centres and TO keep their
feet marching and their looks forward II
war is declared and they cross the Rio
Grande.
And the music that is being played on
parade and that Is sung in camp by the
boys in khaki can be reproduced to make
memories of them fonder by every one who
comes under the category of ''rhe Girl
l Left Behind Me"-mother. wife, sweet
heart and sister, though that particular bal
lad of tenderness was written by an Irish
man, the novelist. Samuel Lover, grand
father of Victor Herbert.
The phonograph in one other OF it's
various forms can be depended on to bring
the campfire close to the home hearth in
these trying times of separation and possible
strife.
OF course, The Star-spangled Banner"
Is the most important item OK our patriotic
song literature.
The original star-spangled banner, i'm
perishable symbol of American liberty, that
was flung to the breeze over Fort Nc
Henry, September IA. 1914, and inspired
the words of our greatest national anthem.
Is still In the possession of the Massachu-
setts Historical Society. An interesting
fact In connection with the familiar music
Is that 1t was taken from an old English
hunting sOHB, composed ABOUT libV Dy
musical genius OF oxford. The Columbia
has made an instrumental record of The
Star-Spangled Banner" and Princes Band
plays the familiar air with vim and verve
There is also record CA 7S) by the
Columbia Band.
Particular interest attaches to the vocal
record (Al6S5) by the Presidents daughter,
Margaret Woodrow Wilson. This has on
the reverse side a medley of patriotic airs
For those who prefer a male voice the
Edison offers the Key number by Thomas
Chalmers, the young American baritone,
who was successful here with the Paw
lowa-Rabinoff Opera Company. and chorus