Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-06-13
NOTEWORTHY NATIONAL SONGS



Danship. 20 take hold on the people.
The centennial annivs rsary OF the birth
af Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, falling az u
does within two days Of Memorial day.
gives new sentimental Significance TO
the great lyric. At tbis distance OF time
We can hardly hope To imagine the
strfss under which the Battle Hymn
~ the Republic was produced. Wash
ingtop WAS then November. 1sei) be-
icaguered Mrs. Howe was deeply
stirred by the nations peril. and by the
marching OF many troops TO the stir
ring strains OF John Browns Body
Jles a. Wondering IN the Grave" The
music OF the latter VIA so much super
ior to the words for which Il originally
vas composed that u has ever since
then seemed more suited TO the greater
song
II Is not 70 well known that Thomas
brigham Bishop was both author and
composer OF the original song. The air
was first written as Glory, Glory. Hal
ieluJah" and later set 10 Bishops own
verses. John Browns Body" Bishop
himself was a noteworthy figure OF his
time He also was the author OF the
music Of when Johnny Comes March
ing Home" The words Of which were
BY =. g. Gilbert There are persons
ntill living who viii remember another
Of his songs. Sweet Eyalina," and still
another. ~shoo Fly" was once EXCEED
lngly popular. lie was a contemporary
Of George +. Root, who wrote the
battle Cry OF Freedom" and Tramp.
Tramp. Tramp. the Boys Are March
ing." but except in the music 10 which I
We now sing the Battle Hymn" he did
not rise TO the heights attailcd by Root.
han ftft
songs In his lifetime. Indeed. so pro-
Inc we're his muses. that no frequently
published some OF his work under O pen
name. a fact that has given rise 70 al
most innumerabie controversies.
The Amcricaniam OF the Battle
Hymn" ia unQueatioaable. Mrs. Howe
was born In New York OF long line OF
American ancestors. and the composer
~ the music, who was born In Maine.
was a direct descendant OF one OF the
original settlers Of Salem. Mass The
Glory. Glory HanemJah" song was
written In 1857. and tho John Brown"
verses followed early In the war. The
Battle Hymn is literally a double In
sniration. Tho words probably would
not hard the munic played on that dark
day in Washington.
The Battle Hymn" Notwithstanding
the CffQCns htffi Nffh with INC star
spanglcd Banner In popularity. The
latter labors perpetually under the
handicap OF tune that not many
Americans In an average gathering are
capable OF mastering. other national
hymns have been mysterlously inspired
In similar way. Jean Richepln's ac-
count OF the circumstances under which
the ''Marsellnlse'' WAS composed pre-
scnts a singular parallel. II was 1877
years ago last April that France de-
clarcd war on the emperor OF Austria
and the king OF Prussia. on the day OF
The proclamation. the mayor OF Strass
burg which since has been the football
Of fate posted proclamation which
began;
''ro arms. citizens' The banner OF
war In unfuflcd. TO armsi We must
sanQuish on die. II we contiaue 20 be-
free. all The powers Of Europe viii sec
The overflow OF their sinister plots.
Let them irembic. then. these crowned
icspots March ont March on Let I
ns be free 90 the last breath and let
bur prayers rise constantly for the
safety OF the country and the good Of -
an mankind"
France discovered that evening that
is only patriotic song. ga ira" but
lechly expressed is feelings. M. u
lichepin aaya IN the New France that q
he mayor then proposed competition
Tor "a news song. calling on Rouget NJ
Isle who could touch the harp OF N
Jrphcus." TO try for the prize. The y,
following tells the remainder OF the an
tory n NJ. Richepins own words; Y
"ltouget rislt. who lived nearby n,
vent home confused hy what had just NJ
'een said TO him: confused, also. he 10
Omitted. by the champagne Having Ia
cached his home he found his violin sc
Ipon the table. he took u up, ran the &,
'ow carlssaIy over the strings. feeling IN
or any notes OF a vague song. The
fords OF the proclamatio1 murmurcd a
through HIS head-"'ro arms. Citixene! or
4srch on. March on. Tho banner. tho X
amer N unfurled." All rushed poll-
neii into his mind: a melody came In
o his fingers He followed u with the
ow and noted Il quickly upon a paper. -,
10 wrote down the words: enc after ~,
mother. the coupiets came. tie wrote. -
= played. he set down ths notes. he -
ut down the words. and then over -
fhcin1ed By the effort he dropped upon
is couch as enc dead"
Thus was created the "WarSong OF
NJ Armies OF the Rhine" Il was
arricd thence south 20 the McditAr-
sncan. where II caught the popular
ancy like lightning. Il was pro- -.
lairnod n the following month by the ~
invention as The Marseilieise." aud
esignaied as thu national anthem.
sver since then. in revolution and In
corginaginatioa under mono rehy and I'll
spubiic Il has thrilled France and has
pread 20 every corner ~ the alobc. r,
The music OF our star Spangicd a.,
Ianncr- ~ admittedly aot ~ Anacri-
an origin. nor dad r'rsaCss scott Key al,
rite the verses Or marty "a a song ~
To Anacreon Ia Hravea. the air N,
Z which war adopted VIA Keys prvb- -,
Die consent for the star Span6lcd 49,
.anner.~ was coiapcsod Hosne N'prs a.,
sforc the war Of the revolution hy -
ohn Stafford smith an Ens!,shGsan. -.
mother OF this patriotic songs s.ss long \.
cen the subject cf co itlosefsss. The e.,
Red. white and Blu has been said ~
, be an Rdaptation from &C English 80
,nR. ~Britanla. the Pride OF tho Ocean ~