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Songs That Every Child Should Know 109
We 've been tenting to-night on the old camp-ground,
Thinking of days gone by, Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand,
And the tear that said " good-bye " ! Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, etc.
We are weary of war on the old camp-ground,
Many are the dead and gone Of the brave and true who have left their homes,
Others wounded long. Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, etc.
We 've been fighting to-day on the old camp-ground,
Many are lying near; Some are dead — and dying are some,
Many a one in tears. Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, etc.
America
The prompter of the Drury Lane theatre told the following story in his Memoirs, and the anecdote is quoted from Baring-Gould's English Minstrelsie. " At Weymouth King George III. was caught in the rain whilst passing the theatre, and for shelter he entered, went into the Royal box, and seating himself in his own chair, fell into a comfortable doze. Elliston, the actor, who was also the manager, went into the theatre, and seeing a man asleep in the Royal box, entered it with the intention of kicking him out. However, he recognized the King. The theatre had to be got ready for an approaching representation. What was to be done ? Elliston hit on the following expedient; taking up a violin from the orchestra he stepped into the pit, and placing himself just beneath his exalted guest, struck up the National Anthem. The Royal sleeper unclosed his eyes, started up, and staring at the comedian exclaimed : ' Hey, hey! What, what! Oh, I see, Elliston ! Ha, ha! rain came on ; took a nap ! What's o'clock ?' ' Six o'clock, your Majesty.' ' Six o'clock ? Ho, ho ! send to her Majesty, tell her to bring my best wig. Don't keep the people waiting. Light up ! I '11 stay.'" This account being contemporaneous with King George's reign, it is doubtless founded upon something of fact, since it would so obviously have been refuted by some one, had there been no basis of fact for the anecdote. This has been the National Hymn of sev- |
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