New Ulm review., 1921-03-16
THE SONGS ! ] 5
We LOVE
By John H. DAILY
.s BEN BOLT
BEN BOLT

Almost three generations have
! agreed on the winning power. Of
Ben Bolt
1t was, in 1S42 that Thomas
! Dunn English, visiting New York,
was asked for a contribution, in
the nature of a poem, to the New
Mirror Magazine, and "Ben Bolt"
was the result. It was very
widely read in America and Eng
land, and the author, Mr.. English,
thought he might increase its
popularity if put to the music OF
certain man named Hay. The
melody, evidently unsuited for it.
was never published, and the tune
later printed by English himself
proved to. be little better. 1t was
Nelson Kneass, a music teacher of
New York City, who utilized an
European melody, and evolved the
present well known air. The song
was included in a play "The Bat
tie of Buena VISTA" which was
produced in Pittsburgh in 1848.
and "Ben Bolt" completely over
shadowed the, drama
Very rapid was the spread Of its
popularity. Sweet Alice became
the pet Of all classes, and the
lovely melody was heard every
where, in private parlors, minstrel
shows, theatres, and concert halls.
To England Ben Bolt was. soon
equally dear, and SO popular did it.
become there that many people
are under the Impression that it is
a song from the British isles.
This does not mean that it's
attraction lessened here. From
1850 to 1860 it perhaps was at
the. height Of its popularity. We
can realize how we'll sounding
were its genteel words on the lips
Of courtly ladies and chivalrous
gentlemen of that period In the
North, even then the home Of
business, B"tBen Bolt" was well
coined as different from the every
day hustle, and in the leisurely
South, the quiet pensiveness OF
the song was in keeping with the
unhurried life, But the Civil War
uprooted many customs and inter
ferred with affairs more vital than
songs. It was scarcely time for
singing, and Ben Bolt was OBJ
scured.
The war. ended and brother1y
amity took the place Of strife, but
"Ben Bolt did not regain its
former place
In England it had continued in
favor, but on this side of the
water it was years later, fifty
years after it's publication, that it
was revived with, great enthusi-
asm. 1t was, used in "Trilby,"
George Du Maurier,s famous dra-
ma. In the scene where the
hypnotist Syengai placed Trilby
on the concert stage and through
his wizardry caused her to sing so
wonderfully, the song "Ben Bolt'
was employed, and soon. it was
once more a general favorite. In
fact it is sometimes published as
'"The Trilby Ballad"
The author. Thomas Dunn Eng
lish remains known only through
the fame Of this song. He was a
man who probably never really
discovered himself. Literature was
likely his true field, but he becainc
doctor and lawyer. Leavinc
these professions, he became th
editor of "a succession Of new
papers and magazines, later NOV
to Virginia, where he took a pro,
inent part in politics, and final
returned North, settling in Newark
New Jersey.
"Ben Bolt" is a song that will
undoubtedly live long, and like SO
many of the fayorites, it is because
it tells simple story that might
be found in anyone's life. It is
a song for the time of quiet and
twilight, when, in the tranquility
Of the sunset, we recall the days
and friends who have passed, and
soothed by its charm, sorrow is
borne away. It is an everyday
tale that the loved and familiar
song ben Bolt'' relates. TO
every generation there is "Sweet
Alice" and friends gone, and the
emotions expressed in "Ben Bolt"
have often been felt by us all.
It