Page:Madras journal of literature and science 3rd series 1, July 1864.djvu/149



HE Society is indebted to E. R. H., an accomplished lady, for five of the South-Indian airs now, it is believed, for the first time published. She took them down from the singing of her aya, a Tamiḻ woman, named Annammá, and J. T. Mayne, Esq., Organist of St. George's Cathedral, has been good enough to arrange them so as to preserve their original simplicity. Of the nine airs collected by E. R. H. No. 1 is stated to be 'A hymn sung by the Muhamadans when Allah manifests himself to the people:' No. 2, 1 'An Indian song:' No. 3, 'A hymn in honour of Ráma:' No. 4, 'A war cry of the Mahrattas when fighting against the English:' No. 5, 'Chingárá Banglá, song composed in praise of Murugappa Mudaliyár's Bungalow:' No. 6, 'A mother's Lamentation on the death of her daughter:' No. 8, 'Dhobí's song:' No. 9, 'A lamentation supposed to be sung by a dove on her young being stolen from the nest.'

The cradle song No. 6, has already been printed with words by Monckton Milnes '(Lord Houghton)' entitled The Infant's Three Sabbaths, and an accompaniment by the Rev. J. Griffiths,, which the Editor has taken the liberty to reprint here.

The Tamiḻ words to this song, in the Tamil character, are as follows:—

Which is, being interpreted,