Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-01

Washington, D. c., April 28.-Abun-
dant evidence that a practically lost
art had its golden age in America is
available in the collection of colonial
music exhibited at the library Of con-
gress.
The declining art is the writing Of
patriotic and national songs. We have
song writer's to extol in Hight vein the
flapper, Broadway, prohibition, and
other modern topics. But the serious,
poet laureate type that scents from
afar an event of historic Importance
and produces an ode in time for the
occasion is lacking. So also is the
composer to set the lyric to appro-
pirate music.
Occasionally, as at the burial of the
unknown soldier. poetic talent flames
up in a blaze of sonnets, odes and
blank verse. But most historic events
proceed unaccompanied by poetic and
musical compositions especially writ
ten for them.
It was otherwise in the early days
of the republic. Every second piece
Of music in the library of congress
exhibit preserved from colonial Amer
lea is patriotic, political, or national in
character. There must have been a
Sc oCt VI uuOlllCIdl pVStS lduIcdtC
busily %scribbling in the attics Of Bos-
ton, New York, and Philadelphia. for
no event of Importance from the in
auguration of Jefferson to the death
of Alexander Hamilton went unsung.
The lyrics produced were set to music
by equally Industrious composers and
these topical songs were sung at the
occasion for whom they were written,
or sung on the stage. or, sometimes,
they were used only as popular parlor
songs. They took the place, in a
way, of the current events reels at
the modern moving picture show.
One of the most interesting of the
historic pieces exhibited by the Music
division of the Library Of Congress is
Hail, Columbia" The music Of this
famous song first appeared under the
title, "The Presidents March," and
the music division displays a copy which
was printed in The Gentleman's
Amusement in 1894.
Hopkinson Writes Classic
The stirring march became Hail.
Columbia" when Joseph Hopkinson
wrote the words four years later. A
note accompanying the first edition of
the song saws that the words were
written for the use of Hopkinson's
friend, Gilbert Fox. an actor who wish
ed to sing q patriotic song to the well
known air.
Before the vogue of "The Presidents
March, Philadelphia. New York and
Boston nodded their heads and tapped
their feet in time to the now forgot
ten Federal March" This compost
ton, according to the cover of an old
copy. was performed Gin the grand pro-
cession in Philadelphia, the Fourth of
July. 17SS." 1t was written for this
Independence day anniversary because
a great parade was being held in honor
of the ratification of the Federal Con-
stitution by ten of the states.
The composer of this march. Alexan-
der Reinagle, was honored by having
George Washington attend one of his
his diary Of attending the concert, and
it is thought that this prominent mu-
stefan of Philadelphia was engaged by
Washington to teach Nellie Gusts to
play the harpischord. One of the
pieces that Nellie Gusts played and
sang for the general in the drawing
room at Mt. Vernon is in the music
division exhibit.
George Washington is mentioned
frequently in the exhibit. Since he
was the most prominent man of the
time, Washington's opinions on music
were quoted and remembered. The
comic opera. THE Poor Soldier" a
copy of which is in the exhibit. is in
teresting today chiefly because it was
performed a number of times lat the
Presidents desire when he visited the
theater." The deduction drawn is that
THE Poor Soldier" must nave been a
particular favorite of Washington.
One exhibit, a book of handwritten
compositions, Is open 10 a page emit
tied. diary fashion. Fancy Menuit
Dance before Genl. Washington. 1892"
The of this dance tune was
Pierre Landrin Duport, who is said to
have been the accredited dancing mas
ter of society in Boston. New York.
Philadelphia. Richmond and George
town.
Martha Washington Figures
There is evidence that Mrs. Wash
ington shared her husbands fame as a
patron of music. Another page of Du-
ports music book bears the heading.
Fancy Menuit with Figure Dance by
two young ladies in the presence Of
Mrs. Washington in 1892. Philadel-
phia.'
Mrs. Washington. like her husband.
had songs indited to her. One pathetic |
and vet amusing specimen of the Rev
olutionary period is entitled. Lady
Washington 1t begins with flam. |
boyant rhetoric, Saw you my hero?l
Saw you my hero George?' According
to the song. Mrs. Washington goes on
to say that she has been out looking |
for her hero. She has Inquired of
every swain only to be told that the
missing general was in the van of the
battle. The song ends with a dramatic |
line. in which Lady Washington i'm
plores the SWANS to return my hero
George" |
The conception Of this emotional
song was certainly lofty enough. and
sincere. But it is a little difficult for
us to picture the dignified Mrs. Wash
ington Of Mt. Vernon going about the
countryside to inquire of the SWANS it
they have seen George. Whether this
simple ditty was ever performed before
Mrs. Washington or what she may have ,
thought of it is, unfortunately, not re-
One of the oldest looking anu
in the exhibit is "a collection
of the best psalm tunes engraved by
Paul Revere and sold by him and
Josiah Flag, Boston, 1764."
The preface of the little old volume
closes with the quaint remark: 1T is
hoped. it will not diminish the Value
of this Book in the Estimation of any.
hut in CANA noUraa ocop,mcpI - |