New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-18
Bv Katharine Wright

=, enthusiasts, its Students Its earnest
hers in the field of research and cx-
.,,;tation. Among the names that i'm
rsa;asely come TO mind are those OF
ri Sharp, Lorraine Wyman, Mrs.
r.anedy-Fraser and her daughter and
p.rrv Granger, although Mr.. Grain
,r,s arrangements of sturdy racial
anne. arc at Tins so elaborate, sc
.,uhisticased. that they might almost
& called arrangements.
Il valuable addition to the literature
Y = saiksong is new connection Folk
81 .ouxs 81 Many Peoples,p with English
81 ,ersion By American poets, compiled
md edited by Florence Hudson Bots-
Il ,ord. recently published by the Women's
! Press.
For the true lover of music there
!. endless delight in the folksongs
Of many nations, for they represent not
singled forms, experimental adven-
ures in composition or idiosyncrasiss
At more or less gifted individuals, but
i ,urs melody, which has its roots in the
s.sural instinct of man to express JOY
md sorrow in song.
All phases of human experience hnd
) shesr expression in folksongs. In
gussis, France, Germany, Italy and
Scandinavia the laborer finds cheer in
singing at his task. Who has listened
without pleasure to the song Of the
/ bcstmen on the volga, to the native
.uncs that float across the water from
7 sshing smacks in the fjords of Norway,
! Or to the negroes singing in the cotton
fields? In war time the fatigue of
Iong marches is lessened by stirring
march tunes. Then there are the songs
Of patriotism, of religious exaltation,
tie songs of suffering endured under
political oppression, the funeral chants
md the songs Of love.
In foreign countries singing plays
an important part in courtship. In
America the young man invites the
Dslectahle One to the movies, but among
tue peasantry of Europe the swain him
self provides her with entertainment
Of his own, and sings to her in the
moonlight the songs of his own country
that for generation after generation
have been used in the same worthy
cause. Of course the suit is more likely
to prosper if the young man is the for
tunate possessor of absolute pitch.
Many Of the older French 'ove songs
have sprung from the gallant's faith
lessness. For, as in one song, the
name Of which for the moment escapes
me, the lover sings and rides away,
leaving the maiden neither disconsolate
nor meditating suicide, but slightly
mocking. The song does not tell, but
perhaps with her, as with her gallant,
tie love passage was only game after
ILL
The present volume is the first of
two. The second, which will be pub
sished some time in January, will in
cude songs from Scandinavia, italy,
China, Japan and other countries. Vol
Eme l is devoted to songs from the
Baltic countri-s. melodies of Esthopaa,
Finland, Latvia and LitRuania; Slavic
songs Of Russia, Czecho- s9cvakia and
Poland; songs from Bulgaria and Hun
gary.
The compiler has seen fit to eliminate
hunting, drinking, war and student
songs, as we'll as curiosities of folk
music Of interest mainly to antiquari-
ans. Those included in the collection
lall easily into these classifcations:
songs Of country, praise of the home
iand, the beauty of it's women and the
salor Of its men; songs that accom-
pany rustic labor in its tasks and
uaaces; carols of Christmas and the
New Year, and a few examples of
agmns and religious festival music:
songs Of sentiment, in which love is
aalvely revealed.
Iae collection, begun twelve years
ago IN southern Europe. found Its COM
p'seion IN America, for the English
versions which appear beside the ma
ave text were made by over three
.S01s American poets. In her intro
sas'ion the compiler calls attention to
NO TACT that for this reason the col
'e's'on should haye a peculiar value for
sus foreign born citizens. "The music
heir own, but the voice Is the voice
america. Through this voice they
Wy learn how lovingly the English
"0sa lends itself to the songs of home
sss the heart, Of meeting and parting,
~ sy-sime and mating, to the beat of
= var the hit Of the dance, perpetual
Ssurring themes the world around"
Mss Botsford may we'll pride her
ssa upon these English versions a. a
49," ,,' OF the volume, for they are un-
.s saal'y successful in preserving the
ny o. the original text and, what is
-. suai Importance. the English verses
ro.4 s'nsaoie' Among the. American
is.. 80 ~ho have contributed to the col
ls,s NM =, are Christopher Morley, Grant
ls nlee and Edna St. Vincent M;ll.v
i n.,.ser feature Of the volume is the
s. s,asion Of the national hvmn. ~
Moas Suigaria, Latvia, Croatia,
S,saesro' Poland. Lithuania and
i. ~ a-'vs little love song from Croatia
IL w: sploaeh." The verses. EngIished