Familiar Songs - Their Authors & Histories

300 traditional songs, inc sheet music with full piano accompaniment & lyrics.

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	366				OUR FAMILIAR SONGS.
	>f P					Pp ad lib.
	be e'e me		i)	And for bon - nip An - nie Lau - rie I'd		lay me doon and	dee.
	*	i		t	£	3		H
		r-
	PP colla voce.
	T				*	:S	US
	THE WELCOME.
	Thomas Osborne Davis was born iu Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, in 1814 Until he was twenty-six years old, he was an enthusiastic student. After leaving Trinity College, Dublin, he was called to the Irish bar. The need of his country for an enlightened public journal, led him, in connection with two others, to establish The Nation, which, although he did not edit it, he inspired with his own noble enthusiasm. The editor, who well knew the force of patriotic song, and especially realized its power to move the susceptible hearts of his countrymen, wanted to publish a series of national ballads. Thomas Davis had never attempted rhyme, but the theme was so inspiring, that the lawyer found himself, perforce, turned verse-writer, and came to be recognized as one of his country's most genuine poets. That country's estimation of his character and services, has been thus expressed: " A more earnest and sincere man than Davis never lived. In his total abnegation of self, in his fiery genius, and generous impulses, he was 'his own parallel.' The characteristics of his nature, were a strict love of truth and right, and an exuberant, joyous spirit. His devoted love for Ireland knew no bounds; his fidelity to her interests has rarely been equaled; and he served her with intense zeal, without stint or reserve, for the sole gratification of doing good to his kind. His simplicity, and almost womanly tenderness, were beautifully blended with the severe integrity of his principles." Davis, died in Dublin, September 16, 1845. " The Welcome " is one his most popular poems.