Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-27
MARCHING MADE EASY;
MUSIC EASES BURDENS

The division order of several weeks
ago directing the selection Of ten song
leaders from each company. battery
or similar unit to meet weekly for
training with Mr.. A. T.. Tebbs, musical /
director of the Young Mems Christian
Association is a move in the right di-
rection. "A singing army is g victo-
rious army" The armies of England,
France, Germany, and even huniliat-
ed Russia sing as they march under
hardships, under fire, in the trenches.
The enthusiasm of the men is height
ened and the morale of the group de-
veloped by means of characteristic
songs with real lyric quality and the
ryhmic swing necessary to be OF value
on the march.
Last week the first test of the mus
ical organization was made when four
hundred and fifty leaders met on the
sloping bank of the reservoir and with
the lead of three massed bands, and
under the direction of Mr.. Tebbs, sang
en- masse the songs which they had
practised previously.
1t is remarkable what wide spread
commentator has been given to the
suggestion, made some weeks ago in
Trench and Camp, of Camp Hancock,
that Coward Christian Soldiers"
should be made the official song OF
ent war. In addition to the lofty ideal
ism of the words the music OF this
song is admirably adapted to the use
of troops on the march.
An effort is being made to deter
mine which songs are most popular
among the men and to determine the
best songs for army use in several dlf-
ferent groups First, national songs;
in this group naturally falls THE Star
AT1a mi
Battle Hymn of the Republic" and
many think under present conditions,
"The Marseilles." The second group
would be the Folk Songs" peculiar TO
America. and strange as it may seem
those most popular are songs or tne
colored people. written in the negro
dialect. "Old Black Joe" way Down
Upon the Sewannee River" Roll Jor-
dan. Roll" ant my Old Kentucky
Home" The third would be the group
of hymns, and as to these there IS
greater diversity of opinion. me
fourth group is popular songs.
Those committees which have con-
sidered the question of songs for the
soldier boys in active service agree
that we should omit the song OF hate
since war will not continue forever and
it may be necessary for us to change
our songs unless we are careful at the
present time Even the Star Spang-
led Banner was modified when we
Joined England in the prosecution or
this war. 1t was also agreed that we
should omit the Dragging songs" for
no matter how highly we think of our
country and our army, it seems clear
that we cannot win this war alone and
that credit should be given gener-
ously to- our allies. Cheap parodies
should not be popularized especially
parodies of our generally accepted ma
tional songs. The battle hymn OF the
republic is most likely to be degraded
in this way as it is so easily .parodied.
And of course no decent army can
allow the vulgar parody to become
popular.
It is said that after the close OF
hostilities at AppomatoX courthouse.
northern and southern officers met at
a social function when the southern
men called attention to the songs or
the northern troops Of which they had
heard parts. At their request the
northern officers sang q number or
songs in vogue in the northern armies
upon which the southern officers de-
clared that if they had had that group
of songs the war would have term1-
mated in their favor in spite OF all their
disabilities On the other hand, the
northern officers agreed no song In
use by their armies exceeded IN m
spring quality, the music of Dixie"
The 28th division has individual
singers; has numerous capable lead
ers; has excellent bands 1t remains
now to assemble the talent; bring
about o-operation-en semble-and
by every possible device to encourage
the men to sing and popularlze the
singing of worthy songs on the march,
in quarters, and at the most disagree
able tasks. Music hath charms, not
only to soothe the savage beast, but to
| tighten the burden of disagreeable
work and to inspire one to most ire
mendous effort for the accomplish
ment of lofty ideals.
Trench and Camp requests sug-
gestions as to popular songs and
hymns which should be included in a
repertoire for army use.
Please send your choice to Trench
and Camp, Camp Hancock or hand to
anv @ARociatiOn secretary