MOCKERY IN A SONG

Southland Times, Issue 22076, 25 July 1933, Page 8

MOCKERY IN A SONG

“HOME, SWEET HOME.” AUTHOR’S LIFE TRAGEDY. Behind “Home, Sweet Home,” the universally popular song which 110 years ago captured the heart of the whole world, is a story which is “not so sweet.”

The song was first sung at Covent Garden in 1823. Success was instantaneous, and the publishers made a fortune, says the Sunday Chronicle. But to the author, James Howard Payne, “Home, Sweet Home,” brought neither wealth nor happiness. It haunted him all his life, a mocking reminder of his one great desire which fate denied him to the end. Actor, manager and playwright, Mr Payne had suffered, through the vagaries of his fortune, a restless roving existence. Sometimes he was in hotels, at others in lonely lodging-houses, and when, as often was the case, his purse was light he would seek shelter in some garret. All the while Mr Payne yearned for a real home of his own. This continual longing at last found expression in his famous song, and gave it that simple sincerity which has brought tears to many eyes and a pang to many hearts. Tortured by the ironic success of his composition and his own failure to find happiness, he wandered from place to place. . Then the wanderer met the one woman of his heart, a beautiful American girl named Mary Harden. In marriage with this attractive woman he visualized the realization of his eternal desire. Too shy to make a personal proposal he sent hei- a letter, concluding with the modest admission, “I have nothing to offer you but a devoted heart and hand.” Mary, the daughter of a wealthy Georgia family and brought up in the lap of luxury, did not consider a “devoted heart and hand” sufficient inducement, and she rejected him. Heartbroken, Mr Payne left Georgia vowing never to return there. But he could not forget the girl and, as a reminder of his devotion, he sent her the handwritten copy of “Home, Sweet Home.” But even this did not serve to change her decision. The last hopes for the realization of his dream finally shattered, Mr Payne went' abroad and continued his homeless wandering until he died in Africa at 60. His long and lonely years never erased from his mind the memory of Mary Harden. Her name lingered on his lips as he died.