NEW MUSIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2305, 14 January 1892, Page 2

NEW MUSIC.

This season two very pretty songs have been added to the few published in this colony. These are “ Tired Mother ” and

“ The Scottish Emigrant,” both written and composed by J. and M. Robertson, South Canterbury residents. Although the themes are very different, there runs through each a certain plaiutiveness that indicates a depth of feeling that is sure to awaken a responsive echo in the breast of all true lovers of ballad music. In the former, a mother, wearied with her cares, sings a tender lullaby to her babe newly laid down to sleep. The words are more than merely pretty, for they serve to convey to the full the tender, reverential care that a mother bears her child. The

following quotation from the last verse of the song may emphasise this ; For mothers grow aged, and mothers grow weary, And some day must cease their fond vigils to keep ; But, oh, there is One who will watch o’er their darlings When mothers no longer may sing them to sleep!

The music is original and taking, and appropriate to the theme, and the song should become very popular. “The Scottish Emigrant” is the song of one about to leave his native home, where every object has become endeared by a thousand memories— The murmuring stream flowing onward sae fleetly, The gay nodding thistle, the boniuer—" bluebell, The wild birds that sing in the woodlands sae sweetly

Seem bidding the exile a kindly farewell I

This should certainly prove a very welcome addition to the somewhat limited range of modern Scotch songs. All through there is the same note of sadness, but the music is so nicely adapted to the words that there is neither mawkish sentimentality nor dreariness. It is a charming little ballad, and should prove, if anything, more taking than its fello w. The publishers are Messrs Begg & Co., of Dunedin, and the printers Messrs Payton & Corrigan. The songs are very tastefully got up, and are published at the usual prices. They can be obtained from all music sellers.