Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 11.djvu/258

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [iis.xi.MA R .27,i9i5,

February, 1653/4, quoted in ' The Denham Tracts,' ed. Dr. James Hardy, published for the Folk-Lore Society, 1892, vol. ii. p. 294 :

" This informant [John Tatterson of Gargreave, Vorkshire] went to the said Ann [a wise-woman, or mediciner] tellinge her that hee was perswaded she could helpe him, being pained in his eare. The which disease shee told him that blacke wool was good for itt, but he said that was not the matter."

In an editorial note upon this passage appears a quotation from ' The Physicians of Myddvai ' ( ? ' Meddygon Mydffa, or Medical Practice of Rhiwallon and his Sons,' trans- lated for the Welsh MSS. Society by John Pugh, 1856, p. 338) :

Take a clove of garlic, ]>rick in three or four places in the middle, dip in honey, and insert in the ear, covering it with some Hack wool."
 * ' For noise in the head, preventing hearing.

H. DUGDALE SYKES. Enfield.

WE must request correspondents desiring in- formation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that answers may be sent to them direct.

" THE TUNE THE OLD COW DIED OF."-

This phrase is humorously applied to a grotesque or unmusical succession of sounds, or an ill-played piece of music. The earliest instance of its use I have is in a letter of Lady Granville's in 1836. But Hot-ten's ' Slang Diet.' (1865) says : " Originally the name of an old ballad, alluded to in the dramatists of Shakespeare's time." Brewer, ' Reader's Handbook,' gives the words of the ballad, but without any reference. If any reader of ' N. & Q.' can 'give me a refer- ence to the Shakespearian dramatist alluded to, or furnish an earlier example of the use of the phrase than 1836, 1 shall be glad. !

J. A. H. MURRAY.

Oxford.

OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM : STANDARD VERSION. Is there an officially recognized version of the words of our National Anthem? It seems strange that one should have to ask such a question at this time ; but if there is an official version, it does not seem to be generally adopted.

In ' Pro Patria : a Book of Patriotic Verse,' compiled by Mr. Wilfrid J. Halliday, and published very recently by Messrs. Dent & Sons, the last three pieces are a translation of ' La Marseillaise ' (four verses)

the ' Japanese National Anthem,' and ' God save the King.' Our National Anthem, consists here of only two verses, beginning respectively " God save our gracious King " and " Thy choicest gifts in store." This is the form in which it appears in the 1904 revised edition of ' Hymns Ancient and Modern.'

At the church which I attend it has been the practice, since the War began, to sing; at both morning and evening service the National Anthem. We use the earlier edi- tion of 'Hymns Ancient and Modern,' i.e.,. with the Supplemental Hymns, and in this ' God save the King ' is not included. We a Iso sing two verses, but our second verse begins " O Lord our God, arise," and may be- distinguished as Carey's version.

Last autumn I was present at a large open-air patriotic demonstration at which our National Anthem and those of our Allies were sung. The first verse of ' God save the King ' was rendered vigorously enough, but the hesitation about the words of the second verse was very noticeable. Many persons were evidently uncertain which second verse* was to be sung, and consequently did not sing after the first verse.

Cannot the approved words of the National Anthem be issued " by authority " ? The- present seems a suitable time for such a thing, when music is being pressed prominently into the service of recruiting.

J. Pv. THORNE.

BUSSIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM. Where can I obtain a literal translation of this ? I am told that the hymn

God the All-Terrible ! King, who ordainest Great winds Thy clarions, lightnings Thy sword,

Show forth Thy pity on high where Thou reignest,. Give to us peace in our time, Lord !

is a paraphrase of the Russian National Anthem.

This hj-mn was included in the 1913 edition; of ' Church Hymns,' edited by the late Sir A. Sullivan, but does not appear in the latest edition. In the 1913 edition it is assigned to Henry Fothergill Chorley and John Ellerton, and the music is by Sir A. Sullivan. H w.

BAGPIPES FOR HIGHLAND BEGIMENTS. Why were the pipes adopted in Highland Regiments ? I do not think they were used from the raising of these corps. At any rate, I find no mention of them in the early years of the 92nd. Fifers seem to have taken their place. J. M. BULLOCH.

123, Pall Mall, S.W.