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The National Music of America. 227
song about which there has been, and still is, considerable litigation. It is sometimes called "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," and often " The Red, White, and Blue." In an edition published in Baltimore, in 1853, it is called " Columbia, the Land of the Brave." In England it is known as " Britannia, the Pride of the Ocean," and the name of Nelson replaces that of Washington.
Paul Ward, Esq., writes, in "Notes and Queries" of July, 1870:
" When in America I made inquiries regarding the author of this song. My reason for making these inquiries was that, about twenty or twenty-five years ago, I first heard, in 'the Old Country,' this same song sung in our streets, but somewhat varied. The British song sang thus:
"' Britannia, the Pride of the Ocean,
The home of the Brave and the Free, The shrine of each sailor's devotion, What land can compare unto thee !'
ft is quite clear that one version must be taken from the other, for each is appropriate only to the eastern or western side of the Atlantic." |
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