196 WAR MUSIC 



Marching is still of importance, — ^in spite of the 

 part taken by railways in modern strategy. I 

 should like to know whether the magnificent 

 marches of the Russians are made to the accom- 

 paniment of a band or of the regimental choir. 

 One sees in our volunteer army the tendency 

 to sing on the march. But it must be allowed that 

 neither words or tunes are particularly inspiring. 

 The Englishman is habitually afraid of being 

 solemn, and though his marching songs may con- 

 tain good things they are apt to be treated in a light 

 spirit. There is one which includes the words, 

 ' ' Rule, Rule, Britannia ! " and "God Save the Queen ! ' ' 

 but these famous phrases serve as chorus to light- 

 hearted fragments, e.g. nursery rhymes, such as 

 "Little Miss Muffett." I regret to add that even 

 this classic is not respectfully used. It should run, 

 "There came a great spider and sat down beside her 

 and frightened Miss Muffett away." I forget the 

 precise words of the parody, except its ending, 

 "And Little Miss Muffett said, ' Bother the creature I " ' 

 I still remember the fine effect of German soldiers 

 heard many years ago singing the "Wacht amRhein" 

 on the march. Once, too, I Hstened to Zouaves, 

 and no greater contrast can be imagined. It was 

 hardly more than a murmur, a chatter of diverse 

 scraps, and had no inspiring effect. These magnifi- 

 cent troops may need no artificial stimulus, but 

 ordinary folk are certainly kept going by martial 

 music. I remember, as a boy, marching to the 

 tune of the "British Grenadiers," which has 

 foohsh words, and is not striking from a musical 

 point of view, but it seemed to take us along. 



