All history reveals the fact that music, wedded to stirring and
patriotic words, has in every age had a powerful influence on
the course of public events. Nor is this true alone of civilized
peoples. Among almost all savage races, the warriors excite
themselves to martial ardor by songs which thrill their souls.
The war-dances alike of our North American Indians, of the
African negroes, and of the semicivilized races which dwell in
Asia, are accompanied by songs which, tho wild and incoherent
to European ears, have an inspiring influence upon themselves.
Carlyle wisely said, “The meaning of song goes deep”; and a more
recent writer has declared that “it goes as deep as the heart of
man, the throbbings of which it controls more readily and widely
than do the speeches of statesmen, the sermons of preachers,
or the writings of journalists.” It was clearly because the
influence of legend and of patriotic appeal, joined with
familiar tunes so strongly roused the emotions of the people,
that the ancient bards of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were
held in such high honor in the old royal courts and princely
castles of these lands, and were regarded with such veneration
by the people everywhere. About two centuries ago Lord Wharton
wrote a political ballad, which was set to music, the title of
which was “Lillibulero.” It was very poor poetry, but somehow
the rude verses struck a chord in the popular heart, and were
sung everywhere. It was written in opposition to King James the
Second; and so wide was its influence that Lord Wharton boasted,
it is said, that it “sang James II out of three kingdoms.”
The effect of the “Marseillaise” in arousing and exciting the
revolutionary spirit of France is one of the prominent facts
in the history of that country. To it, in no small degree, is
attributed the success of the French arms against the allies
who assailed the young republic. So potent, indeed, was the
“Marseillaise” felt to be in kindling political passion, that
both the Napoleons forbade it being sung or played in France
during their reigns.--_Youth’s Companion._
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