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The National Music of America. 245
easily reproduce the jovial and romantic plantation life in effective song; and " Dixie " was a rollicking picture of a marked phase of this plantation life. Like " Yankee Doodle," " Dixie" bears its charm in its music rather than in its words. It would seem to be impossible to wed serious poetry to the plantation jingle of its insouciant melody. It has, however, been attempted with both "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie." The former has received spirited words celebrating Massachusetts (and the gallant stand of her Sixth Regiment in the streets of Baltimore), written by Robert T. S. Lowell, beginning as follows:
" God bless, God bless the glorious state!
Let her have her way to battle ! She'll go where batteries crash with fate,
Or where thick rifles rattle. Give her the Right, then let her try
And then who can may press her; She'll go straight on, or she will die;
God bless her, and God bless her!" |
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