IT'S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2343, 28 December 1914, Page 8

IT'S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY

WHAT A "MUSICIAN; SATS. Members of that strange sect ironically described- as "superior■ people" have deemed it in accordance'with the profesr : sion of their creed to sneer at the popular marching song, "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary." \ The mere fact of its being frankly popular is sufficient reason for its ruthless condemnation, et-ates a writer in the "Queen.". Strikingly contrasted with snch notions is the opinion of the gifted composer, Dri Efchel Smyth. 'In a letter addressed to the editor of (the "Observer,' 1 Dr. Smyth describes the song as a "little masterpiece in its way," and enthusiastwally praises its merits. . The letter;.;is a.n admirable specimen of able musical oriticism by an accomplished-"musician. Two. extracts therefrom are so striking as to compel their being quoted:— "The -melody, cheery, fascinating, and funny, is so natural that four simple chords make up the whole outfit of the accompaniment, and yet, like folk. songs and melodiee of Schubert that also pass this severe test, with all its rollicking humour there is no touch of vulgarity. I should think nothing could more exactly embody the careless jocular spirit in which the British eoldier sheathes his nerves, and whioh is so incomprehensible and distressing to Teutonio seriousness. . . "As for the rhythmio design of the whole song, whether due to instinct or cunning,,,anything, cleverer I have aoldom seen; fitst a bit of breakdown, whic'i takes two strides per musical eection; then the tune proper, in fourstep sections; : finally, the chorus, broadening out into a swinging eightstep rhythm, whereby.the maroher is unconscioualy and irresistibly swept aldiig over spaces of-increasing length with increasing impetus. ... ." "I am certain that all front-rank mueiciana I know of foreign nationalities, and. I think, also nien like>Mozart and Schubert, would delight'- .in this song. To my mind there is the tonch about it that makes Arthur' Sullivan immortal. ■ The . difference between it and , vulgar music-hall ditties that have a passing vogue is as the-difference between a perfect French omelette and the English lodging-bouse, imitation. I venture to'think it.a;grand bit of luck that when war broke out this eong, an idea! marching tune for the British soldier, was in the air.

'•' "When first I heard it'l remembered a joke of Brahms's. Asked l , by a young lady, for a , musical autograph, he sorawled the f opening bars of On the Bliie Danube,' and wrote under them: !Alas, not by, Johannes Brahms.' I do not' know if many composers sighed to themselves. on hearing 'Tipperary,' 'I wish I had written that I' But I know I did." '~' "■ ;.-. :/" -