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The National Music of America. 121
of a national hymn being composed with a predetermination to that effect.
The second circumstance which proved the suitability of the English melody to its purpose was the fact that it was very soon appropriated right and left in various countries and by difÂferent composers. Weber and Beethoven used it, both more than once; it became a Danish national air, then Prussia appropriated it, and before this, America, even while fighting with the mother country, was not averse to using the English national anthem as an American song.
It is generally supposed that " My Country, 'tis of Thee" was the only employment of the old melody by Americans. Such is not, however, the case. Almost immediately after the Revolution, the music of "God Save the King" was heard to the poetry of local patriotism. Among the earliest' settings was the following:
1 There was also a set of patriotic verses to the tune, published in the Pennsylvania Packet at Philadelphia in »779- |
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