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Song Lore of Ireland, The, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 30

Song Lore of Ireland, The, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 30
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periodical Publisher
The Baker & Taylor Co., New York, 1911
periodical Editor
[none]
periodical Title
Song Lore of Ireland, The
volume Number
1
issue Content
48 THE SONG LORE OF IRELANDHOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO 115 49penetrating into little frequented parts of thecountry, sometimes with OCurry for companion, al-ways with his faithful notebook and his belovedviolin.When we feel grateful to Thomas Moore forThe Meeting of the Waters, we also owe thanksto George Petrie, who took down the air from thesinging of an old peasant woman in Sligo and thusfound the poet his inspiration. To Petrie melodywas that divine essence without which music is asa soulless body and, of all national airs, he con-sidered those of Erin the most beautiful. Yet, withthe modesty of a true scholar, he belittled his work asa collector, called it a hobby, a recreation, whereas,in reality, it was the life work of a man whose spiritwas finely touched to music and destined to doa work for Erin worthy to rank with the achieve-ments of her greatest warriors and sages. He tookalmost infinite pains to secure a correct record ofthe songs he noted down. Though not a musicalpedagogue and, therefore, liable to unessentialerrors which a precisian would not fall into, Petriehad the greater gifts of a fine ear and a keen senseof rhythm. Added to this he possessed the crown-ing virtue of a philosophic conception of the wayin which a collector of folk-songs should do his work.He never fell into the sin of which Moore and hismusical collaborator, Sir Thomas Stevenson, wereso often guilty: he never modified an ancient melodyto suit modish ideas of musical beauty. His honestywas invincible; he set down what lie heard with theexactitude of an archaeologist.Petries biographer has left us a picture of him,at work in the island of Aran, and it is at oncea charming tableau and an inspiring proof ofPetries artistic sincerity.Inquiries having been made as to the names ofpersons who had music, that is, who were knownas possessing and singing some of the old airs, anappointment was made with one or two of them tomeet the members of the party at some little cottagenear to the little village of Kilronan, which wastheir headquarters.To this cottage, when evening fell, Petrie, withhis manuscript music book and violin, and alwaysaccompanied by his friend, Professor EugeneOCurry, used to proceed.Nothing could excel the strange picturesque-ness of the scenes which night after night were thuspresented.On approaching the house, always lighted upby a blazing turf fire, it was seen to be surroundedby the islanders, while its interior was crowded byfigures; the rich colors of whose dresses, heightenedby the firelight, showed with a strange vividness andvariety, while their fine countenances were all ani-mated with curiosity and pleasure.It would have required a Rembrandt to paintthe scene. The minstrelsometimes an old woman,sometimes a beautiful girl or a young manwasseated on a low stool in the chimney corner, whilechairs for Petrie and OCurry were placed oppo-site, the rest of the crowded audience remainingstanding. The song having been given, OCurry
issue Number
1
page Number
30
periodical Author
Mason, Redfern
issue Publication Date
1911-01-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

The Song Lore of Ireland

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