THE COMPOSER OF "DIXIE."

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 68

THE COMPOSER OF "DIXIE."

Daniel D. Emmett Avas born in 1814, of Southern paients, though he himself is a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio. His father came from Stanton, Va.«j while his mother, curious to relate, in this connection, was born and reared in Fredericktown (then Frederick City), Md., the home of the immortal Barbara Frietchie. Emmett lived Avith his pa-" rents in Mount Vernon until he was 18, learning with natural aptitude to play many musical instruments then in vogue. But the hay Avas of a roving disposition, and the confines of the little village Avere too depressing. With the consent of his parents in 1832 he at last left home, and started out into the world Avith a travelling circus. W_hither these circus wanderings led him I ' do not knowy but it is certain that in the spring of 1 185,9 he found himself in New York City, engaged with the then celebrated Bryant Minstrels. His particulai engagement was to compose and sing negro walk-rounds,"a nd to act as musician when occasion required. One Saturday night, after a performance that had nob been so successful as the managers 'had wished, Mr Jerrie Bryant overtook Emmett on his Avay home, and said to him: "Uncle Dan, we've got to have something new, and Ave've got to have it in a hurry. I want you to compose a neAv walk-round of the hurrah order; one that Avill have a catchychorus and lively music ; one that the bands Avill play and the boys Avill whistle' and sing" through the streets. 'Make it popular." The next 3ay, Sunday, being Avet and disagreeable, Emmett stayed indoors and devoted himself to his task, Avith the remarkable result that on Monday he Avas able to play and sing before Mr Bryant and the company our national song as it is now sung throughout the Union — " 'Way doAvn South in Dixie's Land." The song wa3 immensely popular from the beginning, and. Avas immediately taken up by all travelling minstrels in the North, and sung by. them 'for at least 18 months before the Southerners ever heard or it. The Northern troops took it South with, them, and thus the South got hold of it, changed "Uncle Dan's" words, and adopted it.— Critic (U.S.).