Baltimore conference

[GUT]

I actually have the complete words to the poem which are the verses that are to be sung to the song (it's like the poem "The Star Spangled Banner", which becomes the words of the late adopted national anthem - to the melody of "To Anacreon in Heaven", an 18th Century British club's drinking song of all things). But then "My Country 'Tis of Thee" uses the British National Anthem "God Save the Queen/King". The verses of "Maryland" refer to many of the victims (i.e., the members of the rioters) who were slain - and few recall them today. It is not like recalling Crispus Attucks, the first African-American to die for freedom in the era of the American Revolution, as being among the five slain at the "Boston Massacre" - these 1861 victims were notable in Baltimore in 1861, and that's it.

I should add that not all the stanzas of the National Anthem are sung, nor of "My Country "Tis of Thee", nor of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (how many people recall the last stanza referring to Christ: "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea...."; probably they refrain from singing it due to religious considerations in a country that is supposed to be religiously neutral - unfortunately it destroys one of the best final verses of a U.S. patriotic song ever written).

I have absolutely no idea of the official anthem for New Zealand - I just wonder if the Maoris have a separate one.

Jeff

New Zealand's is God Defend New Zealand

[Mayerling]

Actually the Baltimore Riot was more complex than that. Most of them weren't pro South, they were antiwar. That they were complicit in the first blood spilled in the war is one of history's wonderful quirks. There were, of course, some Southern supporters there but most of the state at that point wanted nothing to do with it. Later it would get far more complex and is now too often simplified to a depressing degree.
They haven't bothered changing the song because until recently no one even knew the words. Schools didn't teach it to kids, its not played at any state events. It's just not used. Seriously, besides a scene in Gone with the Wind, the most anyone knew of it was half of a single verse that's occasionally sung at baseball games.

I actually have the complete words to the poem which are the verses that are to be sung to the song (it's like the poem "The Star Spangled Banner", which becomes the words of the late adopted national anthem - to the melody of "To Anacreon in Heaven", an 18th Century British club's drinking song of all things). But then "My Country 'Tis of Thee" uses the British National Anthem "God Save the Queen/King". The verses of "Maryland" refer to many of the victims (i.e., the members of the rioters) who were slain - and few recall them today. It is not like recalling Crispus Attucks, the first African-American to die for freedom in the era of the American Revolution, as being among the five slain at the "Boston Massacre" - these 1861 victims were notable in Baltimore in 1861, and that's it.

I should add that not all the stanzas of the National Anthem are sung, nor of "My Country "Tis of Thee", nor of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (how many people recall the last stanza referring to Christ: "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea...."; probably they refrain from singing it due to religious considerations in a country that is supposed to be religiously neutral - unfortunately it destroys one of the best final verses of a U.S. patriotic song ever written).

I have absolutely no idea of the official anthem for New Zealand - I just wonder if the Maoris have a separate one.

Jeff

[GUT]

Interesting all the talk of State songs we just don't have them here.

Flora and Fauna Emblem, and nucknames for each state that's about it.

[Shaggyrand]

Actually the Baltimore Riot was more complex than that. Most of them weren't pro South, they were antiwar. That they were complicit in the first blood spilled in the war is one of history's wonderful quirks. There were, of course, some Southern supporters there but most of the state at that point wanted nothing to do with it. Later it would get far more complex and is now too often simplified to a depressing degree.
They haven't bothered changing the song because until recently no one even knew the words. Schools didn't teach it to kids, its not played at any state events. It's just not used. Seriously, besides a scene in Gone with the Wind, the most anyone knew of it was half of a single verse that's occasionally sung at baseball games.

[Mayerling]

Some of us have fought long and hard to get that song changed to "Four Whores" aka "Baltimore Whores". "Maryland, My Maryland" is a horrible song and not nearly as fitting for the state (Damn you, 1939 state's general assembly.)

I've been wondering about that for years now. Virginia kept "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" but purposely changed the lyrics because they are so comforting to ex-slave holders in the image of the unseen singer (pining for "old massy"). "Maryland" has a decent song to it - it's "Old Tanenbaum" after all. But it is the only state anthem (I can think of) which celebrates a pro-slavery mob being shot at when it attacked troops going to support the Union cause. Imagine if, instead of "The Sidewalks of New York", my state's anthem celebrated the anti-British "Astor Place Riots" of 1849, or the "Draft Rioters" of 1863. The only other state anthem controversy I heard of was in California, and it really was a controversy about a city's anthem: San Francisco. For years they had adopted (especially after Tony Bennett made his singing version popular) "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". But about ten or twelve years ago they changed it (claiming it was too much of a downer) to the old theme-song (sung by Jeanette MacDonald) "San Francisco", because it was so up-beat. Hell, that tune was sung in a movie that climaxed in the 1906 earthquake! What next: the British merchant marine adopting "Nearer My God to Thee" or "Autumn" or "Song d"Autun" or all three for their anthem??!!

Jeff

[Errata]

Some of us have fought long and hard to get that song changed to "Four Whores" aka "Baltimore Whores". "Maryland, My Maryland" is a horrible song and not nearly as fitting for the state (Damn you, 1939 state's general assembly.)

At least your state song isn't Rocky Top. Just sayin'.

[Shaggyrand]

That riot in 1877 was one of a series of railway workers riots throughout the nation that year, and caused President Hayes to send in Federal troops to protect railway property. There was an interesting riot in April 1861 when troops from Massachusetts were attacked by Baltimore citizens and fired into the crowd. The incident is memorialized in the state's anthem, "Maryland, My Maryland".

Some of us have fought long and hard to get that song changed to "Four Whores" aka "Baltimore Whores". "Maryland, My Maryland" is a horrible song and not nearly as fitting for the state (Damn you, 1939 state's general assembly.)

[Mayerling]

I'm seriously considering it Steadman, but financial considerations will probably prevent it. Ironically, as I reside in New York City, I'm just an Amtrak train ride (aprox. 2 hours) from Baltimore, a city I have been to on two occasions, and I would like to hear the lecture about Conan Doyle, and see the graves of Poe (he was moved to a second grave in 1892 - Whitman attended the event), and Booth as well. Don't know about the baseball game though.

That riot in 1877 was one of a series of railway workers riots throughout the nation that year, and caused President Hayes to send in Federal troops to protect railway property. There was an interesting riot in April 1861 when troops from Massachusetts were attacked by Baltimore citizens and fired into the crowd. The incident is memorialized in the state's anthem, "Maryland, My Maryland".

Jeff

[Pcdunn]

Steadman, I'd love to attend, as I've never visited Baltimore, love E. A. Poe and Sherlock Holmes, and am fascinated by the Nutshell Studies-- but, alas, between my funds and a probable business conference in April, I don't think the Ripper Conference will be on my schedule this year.

I wish everyone who is going the best of luck, and please post photos!

[GUT]

Oh I am the same way.....always had dogs...I know have my first cat ( had him 8 years now) and I spoil him rotten....plus I panic over his health....I have a anxiety disorder as it is ( bad one....5 generations of my family suffer this terrible brain chemical curse) and one of my "triggers" is my cats wellbeing....but it's worth it...I so love my little Sgt. Pepper ��

Steadmund Brand

Love the cats name, but then I'm a Beatles fan.

Lost our last cat a couple of years back, still sometimes think I can hear her rattling the security door to be let in.

We found her (or actually one of our Dals did) the ve thought she was only about 4 weeks old, poor thing grew up thinking she was a dog. But then so did our pet sheep.

[ChrisGeorge]

Just a quick flight of about an hour for me....plus I may even get to see a Baseball game while there ...the Baltimore is playing Tampa Bay at home that weekend.....sunday afternoon game anyone"???

Steadmund Brand

If you are on the four-hour Sunday morning bus tour, we could drop you off after the tour at the Ball Yard along with anyone else who wishes to go to the game. Oriole Park at Camden Yards isn't that far from Edgar Allan Poe's Grave and Nutshell Studies which we will see in the latter part of the bus tour. Below is a photograph of Camden Yards by my friend MiMi Zannino. There was a major riot at the Camden Yards railyards in August 1877. It was during a labor strike against the B&O Railroad. The Maryland Militia Sixth Regiment fired on the rioters killing 10 and wounding 25. The rioters injured several members of the militia, damaged engines and train cars, and burned portions of the train station. Also where the ballpark now stands, Babe Ruth's father ran a tavern on the site.

Best regards

Chris





Maryland Militia Sixth Regiment fighting its way through Baltimore, Maryland, July 20, 1877. Harper's magazine, August 11, 1877.

[Steadmund Brand]

Oh I am the same way.....always had dogs...I know have my first cat ( had him 8 years now) and I spoil him rotten....plus I panic over his health....I have a anxiety disorder as it is ( bad one....5 generations of my family suffer this terrible brain chemical curse) and one of my "triggers" is my cats wellbeing....but it's worth it...I so love my little Sgt. Pepper ��

Steadmund Brand

[GUT]

Completely. He's also crazy spoiled. He's a good dog and his health comes first. Even though I might have to rob a bank to pay for it all.

Know what you mean.

My little buddy hasn't got long left and I expect I'll bawl like a baby when he goes,

But considering ave life span for that breed (Chinese Crested) is about 8-10 and he's almostv14 it's to be expected. Now if he dies at about the time our daughter moves out and takes her Dalmatian I'll be in a real bad spot the times I'm restricted to bed.

[Shaggyrand]

Well if you're like me dog comes first.

But then my dogs are spoiled rotten. Even though one is technically my daughter's and the other is very much on his last legs.

Completely. He's also crazy spoiled. He's a good dog and his health comes first. Even though I might have to rob a bank to pay for it all.

[GUT]

Want to and its right in my backyard but my dog needed surgery and its depleted my funds for anything not necessary for the foreseeable future.

Well if you're like me dog comes first.

But then my dogs are spoiled rotten. Even though one is technically my daughter's and the other is very much on his last legs.