OLDEST TUNE IN THE WORLD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19814, 4 December 1919, Page 6

OLDEST TUNE IN THE WORLD.

“FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW.” Asked to name, tlio oldest tuno in tho world, few persons could give the correct answer (says an American, paper). It is that to which is sung the words, “For He’s a Jolly' Good Follow.” and tho air> which ran bo traced in distant Asia and Africa,, as well as in. most, European countries, lias an intcrcdng history. Its origin is lost in antiquity, but it is supposed to haves been learned from the ancient Babylonians by tho Egyptians, who popularised it in Africa, and Asia Minor Arabs still sing it. The Crusaders caught the tuno from their Saracen enemies, and sung it under the walls of Jerusalem. The air was ultimately carried into Europe, where it survived, in various forms, among tho folk-songs of the different nations. ~ in 170!?, after the defeat at Malplaqnot, the French, following a t,also rumour of the Duke of Marlborough's death in battle, composed a. satiric lament. " Mabrook is Off to the 'War,” detailing tho supposed death and burial of the English General and the ascension of his soul to (heaven. The words were sung to the,. old, popular air, whose lilting rhythm lent itself to tho swing of tho twenty-two verses. Like most topical songs, this one was of short-lived popularity, but in 1781 it suddenly echoed from uuo end of Franco to the other. The young Mario Antoinette gave birth to an heir, and the baby Prince, in accordance vtith French custom, was placed under the care of a robust peasant fostermother. The nurse used to put her royal charge to sleep, with the old song of her village home. The girlmot her began, almost unconsciously, to repeat the simple refrain and ns if by magic the song became rue craze of tho day.