MOCKERY IN A SONG

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1933, Page 12

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 continued 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 titis attractive woman he visualised the realisation of his eternal desire. Too shy to make a personal proposal he sent her 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 hand-writ-ten copy of “Home, Sweet Home.” But even this did not serve to change her decision, •. The last hopes for the realisation 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.