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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

New Zealand Music

New Zealand Music.

I have also received from the composer a song called

"The Grand Old British Game." Words and air by David Will. M. Burn; accompaniment by Arthur J. Barth. Christchurch: Lyttelton Times Company. The game is football—and not cricket, as some might suppose. The poet treats the subject in capital style. He touches on the dangers and difficulties of the game, from broken limbs to "tender woman's" objections, and at the end of each verse gives a spirited little chorus to the effect that "the danger's half the game, my boys,"—which, I think, is quite true: it is curious how a sense of danger adds a piquancy to any situation. The music is by no means difficult, and its simplicity will the more admirably suit a party of lovers of the "grand old game." The song would be improved by the addition of a little more variety of tune. However well the air would suit the class of singers for which the song is intended, it seems to me that for ordinary singing the words would have come with better Effect if set to a more declamatory style of music. In fact, to put it briefly, although the music is nowhere faulty, the words are too good for it. Mr. Barth's accompaniment is not remarkable in any way; but he had not much scope for a complicated display of musical fireworks. The song must be sung with spirit and vigour. It is written in G major, and reaches from D to D.