Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1919 — “America” an Ancient Tune [ARTICLE]

“America” an Ancient Tune

In the controversy over the origin of the tune for “America.” which he calls “our noblest of national anthems.” Poultney" Bigelow, in a letter to the New York Times, says: “The Prussian king, Frederick William 11. took it from England in 1792 In ofder to glorify himself at the dedication of a. triumphal arch In called the Brandenburg thor. This gate of victory was erected in honor of his troops who had been chased out of France by the ragged republican armies at Valmv. The Prussian regiments returned across the Rhine in 1792 proclaiming themselves victorious, and welcomed with every demonstration of patriotic joy. “The Danish’royal house had the same national anthem preyious to Prussia, and George .HI adopted It more early still —without, however, claiming priority as an English composition. “How old it is we know not. It may have been sung by the legions of Constantine behind' their Christian*labarums; it may have been a favorite of Wyckliffe qr John Huss."