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The National Music of America. 135
air certainly has its origin in the music of the free Pyrenees; the first strains are identically those of the heroic " Danza Esparta," as it was played to me, of brave old Biscay.
" Very truly yours,
" Buckingham Smith. " Madrid, June 3, /8j8."
But there is no record of the further investigation promised above ever having been made.
It is stated that Louis Kossuth, when in this country, recognised the melody as resembling one of the tunes of his fatherland.
And now to leave the realm of supposition, and study what is definitely discovered regarding this merry theme. There are few early printed editions of the melody; it occurs in George Colman's opera (printed in 1784), entitled "Two to One." The music of this was selected and arranged, although the title-page says "composed," by Doctor Arnold. In this work is a song entitled "Adzooks, Old Crusty, Why so Rusty?" |
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