The Climax

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 39, 11 April 1930, Page 31

The Climax

Stilor-boy, Musician and Poet : # ° e Not so many years ago, when Granville Barker’s play, "Captaim Brassbound’s Conversion," was being produced, it was desired to introduce some original sea chanties, but the producer was at his wit’s end to obtain them. Confiding his difficulty to Mr. Barker, the latter exclaimed: "By a curious . coincidence, I think I know where we shall be able to get them. A boy who is a deck-hand on a wind-jammer, trading to South America, came into my ‘office to-day. In his spare time he makes a hobby of composing sea songs, and the words seem just what you want." . "But how about the music?" asked the producer. "T think that will be all right, too," Mr. -Barker said. He has made up some tunes as well, but as he doesn’t know a note of music, he whistles them. Anyway, I'll tell him to come and see you in the morning." ' Next day, at the appointed time, a slim, poorly-dressed and very shy young seaman presented himself. "Mr, Barker told me. to come and whistle to you," he said, diffidently, twirling his cap in his hands. "That's all right," said Mr. Barker’s producer. "Sit down, and let me hear

those sea chanties T’ve heard about." So, very stiff and upright in a chair, the young sailor went through the tunes that in his spare time he hail composed in the forecastle of a wooden sailing ship. When he got up to go, obviously relieved that his ordeal was at an end, he was asked his name, and replied, "John Masefield!"