Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1918 — Became Popular at Once [ARTICLE]

Became Popular at Once

Few Songs of the Sea Securad Public •Favor as Quickly as “Life on the Ocean Wave." Tie best and most popular of all the songs of the sailor boys Is Bpes St 1 gent’s “A Life on the Ocean Wave.” The words of this song were written for Henry Bussell, the well-known music composer. The subject of the song was suggested to Sargent as he was walking one breezy, sun-bright morning in spring on the Battery in New York, and looking out on the ships and small craft, leaving or entering the harbor. Having completed the- song Sargent went to the office of ttie Mirror, wrote .the words and showed them to his friend; George P. Morris. After reading the piece, Morris said: “My dear boy. this is not a song; it will never do for music, but I should like to pdblish it in the Mirror.” . Sorfb days after the publication, Sat gent met Bussell, wlio said: “Wiiere is that song you promised me?” Sargent’s reply was: “I tried

my hand at one and' failed. Morris tells me it won’t answer.” “Let me see the piece,replied Russell. Bussell was so pleased with it that he went Into a music store near by, and in the-back room In a few moments he composed the music to which It is ncv sung. It at once became a favorite and very shortly the bands were playing It and the sailors were singing U. .