The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-02-21
DIXIE"

SC1S -. ~. Sss at q AC|CNL IlCCbluk Vi
that organization, and published by
request and vote of the chapter).
In the hearts of all Southern peo-
pie there is an appreciation of every
| thing pertaining to the history and
literature of our Southland, and in
making the whole of this worthy
heritage, of which we are so Justly
proud, the old songs and poems have
their special part.
Ours is a land of memories, a be-
loved land with beloved poems and
songs that breathe of love and pa
triotism and high ideals.
Among the many songs written for
or about our dear Southland, the one
we call "Dixie" holds the first place
in our hearts. 1t is of "Dixie" that I
shall talk at this time, tho many of
you may be more conversant with my
subject than I am.
Many years ago, there was in the
North, minstrel troupe, known as
"Bryant's Negro Minstrels." All of
the members were Northern men.
Some of these men had travelled in
the South, met our people, had seen
our negroes, and in this way they
had become acquainted with the South
and realized the tender feelings the
Southern people had for their negroes,
and understood in measure the de-
votion of the latter for the former.
Among those who had had this
good fortune was Daniel Decatur EN-
NETT, an Irishman, born in Mount
Vernon, Ohio. This man was particu-
larly gifted in composing both the
words and music for songs suitable to
be used by these minstrel troupes.
"Bryant's Minstrels" were in the
city of New York during the winter
of 1859. Business seemed on the
wane, and Bryant requested Emmett
to get up something for their next
appearance, which would be within
the next few days in New York city.
He told Emmett he wanted some
thing new and catchy, something that
would create a real sensation in the
minstrel world.
Of course, Emmett was deeply i'm
pressed with the fact that Mr.. Bryant
thought him capable of so great an
undertaking and he was aroused to
intensest concern to prepare some
thing out of the ordinary.
AS l have stated before, Emmett
had travelled extensively in the South.
He knew the great heart of the
South and, too, both of his parents
were Southern born, his father in
Virginia, his mother in Maryland, so
he instinctively understood to do his
best with the best facilities, and his,
to be, world-famed "Dixie Land" was
the result of his earnest efforts that
rainy Sunday afternoon in the humble
apartments, occupied by him and his
wife while in New York.
The following week this song was
given to the public by "Bryant's Min
strels," and proved the success of
that season, and many more. Where
ever "Bryant's Minstrels" gave an en-
tertainment, every one began to hum
the tune, while the chorus was Justify
sung by all the children on the streets.
There is witchery about the "air"
of Dixie" a something that attracts,
a something that holds. The "air' or
tune, shows the quality of Emmett's
heart, so light, so gay, so full of love;
and in the words his ardent zeal for
the South is warmly expressed, with
even touch of pathos. The author
loved the South and he meant the
South when writing the words of
Dixie. This he clearly indicated by
the words, Gland of cotton" and other
expressions of similar geographical
coloring.
While "Dixie" is in truth a song
of the South and never fails to fill
Southern audience with exuberant
joy, yet when played in any part of
the United States, or even across the
waters, it always causes a stir of I'M
usual enthusiasm among the hearers.
"Dixie" possesses a certain charm,
peculiar fascination that makes the
tune popular wherever heard, even to
those who do not understand the real
significance of the song and music.
When our first ten thousand United
States soldiers sailed away for "some-
where in France" it is said that
Dixie" was the tune that broke the
awful tenseness of the last moment
and stirred the immense crowd of both
soldiers and spectators to loudest
cheers. And as long as "our boys"
were in France, they gave Dixie" a
grand ovation whenever it was played
by the bands, and this was frequent
occurrence.