2 “On the Western Trail”"—A cowboy group, the work of the famous woman sculptor, Sally James Farnham, re. cently exhibited in New York. ¥ By ELMO SCOTT WATSON NE of the current Broad- way stage successes is a play which bears the title of “Green Grow the Li- lacs,” and sophisticated Gotham, which usually think a worth singing unless it i out of Tin Pan doesn’t gong Is had their ori lt in the which the co whoys us« Sou ‘his incid the incr in the fol h interest has manife ous forms—in negro spiritu revival of sing generations (i clusively that, trace bac the po nls of the of wove con- of t} i Eng ugh n k directly to the ol ballads, America had ‘a native bal- ladry) and in the wider dissemina- tion of the legends of Panl Buns Pecos Bill and John He ; heroes created in the fertile tions of the lumberjacks, and the negro railroad spectively. The play referred to above takes its name from a song, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” which has been sung in the Bouthwest for generations. Its origin i8 veiled In obscurity. One critic has ventured the opinion that it traces its ancestry back to Robert Burns’ poem, “Green Grow the Rashes.” If so, per- haps somewhere in the line of descent may be found a song popular with the American soldiers during the Mexican war, “Green Grow the Rushes, O'™ and there Is a legend that the Mexican name for “gringoes” is a corruption of the words “green grows.” Another of the songs of this play which is said to have been an favorite In the Souther oat, hence well known In Oklahoma, the native state of Lynn Riggs, author of the play, is “My Name 1s Sam Hall" There Is no doubt about the origin of this song for it comes from London where it was a cellar ditty, In 1848 W. OG. Ross, a Scotch low comedian. was singing In Cider Cellars in Malden Lane, Covent Gardens, (the original, incidentally, of Back Kitchen in “Pen- dennis”) and “My name is Sam Hall,” was one of his “hits” How did this song find its way to the old Indian territory? Did some adventurous Cockney carry it there or did some disgraced “younger son.” who could not live in England and who had fled to the American frontier where no questions were asked about a man's past, first sing it along the banks of the Canadian or the Cimarron? No one knows! ut the cowboys once sang it on the Oklahoma range and it is their version, slightly changed from the original English version, which is being sung on Broadway today, In reality, though, this Is not so un- usual for an examination of the col- lection of old cowboy songs, made by John A. Lomax of Texas several years ago, will show that many of the fa- vorites among the cowboys, especially those of the more sentimental type {and the cowboy was strong for the song which dripped with sentimental- ity!) closely resemble some of the old English ballads and probably trace directly from them. Some typical ones, given in the Lomax collection, are those which bear the titles “Bon nie Black Bess,” “Fair Fannie Moore,” “Her White Bosom Bare” and “Young Charlotte.” More than that, Investigators of this type of folk song have revealed the fact that many of the best known elish an, myth imagina- the COW bovs workers, re- Americans, ald was » the 1 w and mours of p the close his dying bed at of day By making allowance for much “local color” it is easy to see how “The Lone Prairie” song was adapted from the “The Ocean Barial" by W. H. Saunders, music by G. N. Allen, which appears In “The Nightingale a book of songs for “Juvenile Classes, Public Schools and Seminaries,” eom- piled by W. O, and H. 8. Perkins and published by Ditson in 1860, The first verse of “The Ocean Burial” tells how: SONE, words “0, bury me not in the deep, deep sea” The words came low and mournfully From the pallid lips of a youth who lay On his cabin couch at close of day. and its other numerous verses de. scribe the deathbed scene minutely and with a wealth of detail, only, of the scenes are laid on the deep sea” Instead of the “lone prairie-e-e.” Nearly as famous a cowbhoysasong as “The Lone Prairie” is another also variously called “The Cowboy's La- ment” and “The Dying Cowboy,” which has this chorus: "Oh, beat cCoOtrse, deep, the drum slowly and the fife lowly, "ay the Dead March as you carry me along: Take me to the churchyard and the sod o'er me For I'm a young cowboy, 1 know I've done wrong.” play lay Different authorities on cowboy songs and other native American bal- lads credit the authorship of this song to various persons and the usual state ment is that “it appeared on anges in the early eighties.” Although it is difficult to determine the author ship of a ballad, since such a song usually represents the contribution of a succession of amateur bards rather than the work of a single poet, it is my belief that, as nearly as the authorship of “The Cowboy's Lament” can be determined, credit for it be. longs to the late F. H. Maynard of Colorado Springs, Colo, an old-time cowboy. Here Is hig story as he told it to me several years ago: “During the” winter of 1876 1 was working for a Grimes outfit which had started north with a trail herd from Matagorda Bay, Texas. We were win- tering the herd on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas river on the border of Kansas and Indian territory, walting for the spring market to open at Wichita, “One of the favorite songs of the cowhoys In those days was called ‘The Dying Girl's Lament,’ the story of a girl who had been betrayed by her lover and who lay dying in a hos. pital. I don't remember all of the song but It began sowmeihing like this: As 1 walked down by St. James hospl- tal, St. James ho ete, ate, spital, so early one day, “I had often amused myself by nd one d try- il winter and then ran the i : » time All from in the ’ y8 who came Tom an, “After 1 had finished the I sang It to the boys In our They liked it and began singing it ame popular with the boys in othe y outfits who heard It Shern new hee after we taken our herd to market Wik fa the next spring and from that time on I heard it sung everyw! on the range and trail” 80 ¥The Cowboy's Lament other example of in ere * is an- a favorite cowhoy song which an adaptation of an earller ballad. Mr. Maynard's version, written in 1876 and thus antedating other versions by five and possibly ten years, had for its first verse the following : wan As 1 rode down by Tom EBherman's barroom By Tom Sherman's barroom one day, There 1 ranger All wrapped In white linen, the clay. so early espied a handsome young as cold as “I see by your outfit that you ranger.” The words that he said as I went rid. ing by, “Come, =it my sad I'm shot I must re & down beside me, story, through the breast and know die” and hear CHORUS: Then muffle the drums and play the dead march Play the dead marc along: Take me to the churchyard and the sod o'er me, I'm a young ranger and know done Wrong. h as I'm carried ny I've The version of this song. as given in Lomax’s collection and as it is often reprinted, starts out: Ar 1 walked Laredo, As 1 walked out In Laredo one 1 spied a poor cowboy wrapped white linen, Wrapped up in white linen as cold as the clay. out In the streets diy, up in “0, beat the drum the fife lowly, Play the Dead March as you carry me along. Take me to the green valley, the sod o'er me, For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong. slowly and play there lay I see by your outfit that $ou are a cowboy,” These words he did say as I boldly stepped by. “Come sit down beside my sad story; I was shot In the breast and I know 1 must die” From which it will be seen that In the years in which the fame of this “poor cowboy who done wrong” has spread the scene of his untimely de- mise hax been changed to Laredo, Texas, But before it is too late, I want to register this footnote to his. tory and say that it took place In Dodge City, Kan.! I know, becanse the man who killed him (in a sonj) told me so! (0, 1931, Western Newspaper Union.) me and hear Right Care of Property A house receiving proper last much longer than the one is neglected, is the trite reminder dressed to home owners by the Nation. nl Association of Real Estate Boards in one of its series of articles “Looking Into Real Estate” “In the vear 1207, in the twenty- fourth chapter of the English statutes of Marlbridge, tenant damaging or wasting his prop erty be fined and deprived of his hold- ings." the associa then wig owned under the feud: tem and being a life tenant was near to property ownerghip as most people could get. But this ancient statute shows that even in th off times people clous of the possibilities of deprecintion ang what they could, through such regula- tion, to conserve real property “Care of the home and pro means keeping an eye out for things, It ma like a lot of work but, spread over the year, it really isn't so much. Furtherm work an equity, from of domicile ind for equity in ofl ur house lasts longer, you r, and that tion writes, il evs were cons perty look is building up the point of endurance of are wil : to things. If yo will ha your home md wing YOu view your i WOK er ve vour investment longs enjoy wre,” Modernization in Terms of Dollars and Cents ¢ 8 nn vast fi id in af bu and That the r ernization for use rials and for em; equipment ment of construction labor, hardly been hed, Is the knowledge of those in try In Ani eral hu States up mercial bullding modern hi ROY ts for a $s ody wihien scrale con the issued of the ing the lysis of permits cities wg that bring to date and ndred sho making the old and even the become quite popula volume te is > oun inarge waste There the abandon » Is enormous in ment of homes for newer models enunol he with Keeping Step With Progress Prog: 3 $ ¥ 3 old auton CNY han = © progress | Bri way links feel to : become struc of The new hridges at H risburg and umbia are of this development. The ela gystem of viaducts on the express high way system through Elizabeth and Newark, N. J. is another example, nnd the beautiful bridge at Bethlehem, solving a difficult engineering problem in a definitely artistic way, cannot be overlooked. Philadeiphin ledger, have real beauty tures Col example Beautifying Highways To Its leadership in good roads, the United States is seeking | to add supremacy In beautiful roads Dressing up the highwnayrs | by Thomas, H. MacDonald, chief of the bureau of public roads, as the | next step after establishment of smooth roadbeds and easy grades State highway departments chosen to organize their own programs of applying “make-up to nature.” but federal assistance Is avaliable for { planting shade trees along routes of | the federal-aid system. Massachusetts, rounding out the tenth year In its beautification work, is acknowledged as the pace settiter Native trees, shrubs, and flowers are preserved for raw shoulders and senrred landscapes. world is seen have For Architectural Progress Developing its plans for a more beautiful America, the architectural profession, througi. the American In. stitute of Architects, will attack agli ness in blueprints rather than in fin ished structures. With the National Capital as a model, the institute will urge the formation throughout the country of architects’ advisory councils before construction begins, Homes, offices, shops and institn- tions will take on new dignity. well ordered neighborhoods will no longer be threatened by single eyesores, and endless rows of mediocrity will cease to disfigure entire sections, once na nationwide vigil exists, It ls declared in a statement issued by the institute from is national headquarters. Distinctive Ornamentation An interesting chimney will often give distinction to an otherwise hope less design, Ornamental balconies, railings, shutters, awnings and flower boxes are used to similar purpose, Bankers’ Responsibilities The bank that doesn’t fielp its town in bad times doesn’t deserve to share in its good times, American Magazine | ———————— ‘SWEETEN ACID STOMACH THIS PLEASANT WAY When there's distress after eating—heartburn, Indigestion, gas—suspect excess acid, The best way to correct with an alkali, Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, A spoonful of Phillips’ two this is times its volume and does It at once, trolizes many excess acid; methods forever, 3¢ sure to get genuine Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia. All drugstores have the generous 25¢ and 0O0e bottles, Full directions in package. Two Freakish Fornm of Penguins are strange birds, Th use their wings for swimming In- stead of for flying, wey are found in the of the hemi sphere, and range In who stn fittle fellows Bens thern froin nds slze emperor penguin, feet high, to larger than an legs of the peng bach ¢, and on | fie about manin« 1 peng comes fron South lands, sta ver two feet and has a long bill and a Anot flar in many wa the name way upright, The king in height, ange che her stra v8 to the stesmner du from of swin fashioned paddie steamer, REGULAR PAINS The modern Miss needs no “lime out” for the time of month. If you've ever taken Bayer Aspirin for a headache, you know how soon the pain subsides. It is just as eflec- tive in the relief of those peculiar to women! Don't dedi y month certain to suffering al cale Bayer Asp heart . It de in, 80 us He: ad Pai in \ forgotte n balf few of these are the little bring fatigue and or a sleepless night. Genuine Baver Aspirin tablets cost so very little after all, that it doesn’t pay to experiment with imitations! “nerves” by day Thess Cluogiog Times. “Times certainly change.” “Whatcher driving at now" ues of great men In the future may show them speaking into a micro phone instead of astride a horse with a sword dangling."—Florida Times Union. Sold | Adv weak women strong. No alcohol. by druggists in tablets or ligquid.~ Mental stains cannot by time, nor away waters, — Cicero. removed by be washed WORMS RUIN A CHILD'S HEALTH Drive every worm out of your child's system without a moment's delay. Use the safe, vegetable worm medicine that has been so successful for 7§ years—Frey's Vermifuge. Perhaps you don’t know your child has worms. Gritting the teeth, pick. ing the nostrils, disordered stom wach are symptoms. B uy Frey's Vermifuge at your druggist’s today. Frey’s Vermifuge Expels Worms RR When Bells Ache, Use CAREQIL Why take a chance with home-made poe tices or expensive operations when Carboil quickly stops the pain end heals the boil often overnight Get Carboil from dr sist Instant relief Good for stings, small burns, bites, sores, ei = Gone ous s box 50c. Spurlock- Neal Co. , Nashville e, Tenn STI. GLENN'S SULPHUR SOAP Ekin eruptions, excessive Contains perspiration, insect bites 313% Pure relieved stones by this re Sulpbur freshing. beautifying tollet and balk soap Best for Soft, Clear Skin Robland 's Styptie Cotton, Ze KELL HOSIERY Dine C T T0 WEARLE RE, BOO § ra ntes t FRIENDS WITH FALSE TEETH DONT BE FOOLED, Your 1% not be leaned with nos ORE awders, salt hesith i a Clean cheap In d can mps) for a meting Little ves. Bs ves ts. P ment Every Farmer Should Have This devi for tying shock and shes re A T% or HILL SIDE CHICKS WILL SHIP « oD C1 A ed Phone, Dox ENRENZELILER, Pro I Unit MeAlisterville, Pa. WELCOME # NEW YORK and B17" ST.«= 7™AVE. opposite PENNA. RR.STATION 1200 Rooms each with Both, Servidor ond Circulat- ing Ice Water W. N. U_ BALTIMORE, NO. 15..1031. } « Agreeable Stern Parent—Willie, I'd like to go | through one whole day without once | scolding you. Willie—Well, mother, yon have my | consent. Boston Transcript. i ailments + Are you prepared to render first aid and quick comfort the om your youngster has an upse sort? Could ou do th ght thing immeiat y—though t ne A i is a tonight mother’s standby at such times to ease an ail ter. It just ae ali one pe on the wrapper reads, yc H. Fletcher's signature, it is geniune smallest infant; doctors will teil you so, dh 2 an Sell from the formum on Tt i jor Hit t fo oa or Fk sen’ Be is grown.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers