"THE HEART OF OAK"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 25, 25 October 1920, Page 5

"THE HEART OF OAK"

The decree recently issued by the British Admiralty that in future whenever detachments or brigades of men from the Royal Navy march past at reviews it will be to the strains of "Heart* of Oak" is of more than passing interest, says a writer in -'"The Miscellany" feature of the "Manchester Guardian." This good old song—whose title is often and wrongly given in a plural sense—was written by David Garrick in 1759. Ho was at that time striving in vain to get a hearing for Shakespeare at. Drury Lane, but tho public preferred tho pantomimes, which were being produced at rival theatres. Stung by the lack of puTjlic taste, Garrick himse'lf wrote a pantomime, to which lie gttvo the title "Harlequin's Invasion: A Christmas Gambol.'' In this piece Harlequin invades the realm of King Shakespeare, but ultimately suffers _ a hopeless defeat. Tho main point of interest, however, lies in the fact that it was thought desirable to introduce a topical song, for events of great importance to the Old' Country were happening. It was in 1759 that Wolfe won his victory at Quebec, and Boacawcn defeated the French fleet at Lagos, while in tho same year Hawke dashed along the coast of Biscay and won yet another great victory for' the British Nary. Well might Garrick, in the second line of his songj refer to 1759 as "this wonderful year. Thus "Heart of Oak" owes its 'birth m the combined desires to secure a worthy hearing for our national poet, and to produce a song which would reded the sentiment of security after such glorious victories. The music composed by William Boyce, ha? no doubt addod'to tho pnpv.lanty of the song, for iU decided rhythm certainly helps to emphasise the meaning of tho words. The air makes quite a good marching tune, and tho decision of the Admiralty will be as much appreciated -by the public as it is by the officers and men of tho Royal Navy.