OUR WAY ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN, HO! musical notes booklet for the song "Our Way to Cross the Mountain. Ho" - Words by CHARLES MACKAY, ESQ. A melody dedicated in honor to Mordecai Manuel Noah as a token of gratitude and remembrance by Henry Russell. Published by Parker & Ditson, Boston, 1838 - Only Edition.
Henry Russell (1812-1900) was a Jewish-English composer, pianist, and singer. Born into a respected Jewish family, Russell was the cousin of the Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschell. The composer lived in the United States from 1835 to 1841, then returned to England and focused on producing musical extravaganzas. Russell composed numerous songs, some of which were written during his time in the United States and later set to English lyrics by English poets. Among his works are simple ballads, characterized by harmonies and accompaniments reminiscent of Italian opera. The static nature of the melodies suited performance in a spoken-song style. Among other things, he wrote protest songs on social issues, highlighting the difficult conditions in private mental institutions, the plight of abandoned mothers, racism, slavery, and the suffering of migrants. Several of his songs remained popular well into the 20th century. The song before us is one of the collaborations between the lyrics written by Charles Mackay and the musical composer Henry Russell. Additional songs by them include "There's a Good Time Coming", "Take Courage, My Sons" and "Westward".
Mordecai Manuel Noah (1785-1851) was a lawyer, newspaper editor, playwright, diplomat, politician, judge, and prominent advocate for the establishment of a Jewish refuge city called "Ararat" on Grand Island, located on the Niagara River in New York. Noah sought to bring about the revival of the Jewish people and in 1819 issued a proclamation to Jews worldwide, inviting them to come and establish a Jewish homeland in the United States, as Eretz Israel was under Muslim rule. The idea gained momentum through a significant event organized with the participation of representatives from all religions. However, years later, Noah came to the conclusion that the revival of the Jewish people was only possible in Eretz Israel and called on Western powers, initially France and England, and later America, to assist the Jews. It is said that in the eyes of his Jewish contemporaries, he was the quintessential American, while in the eyes of Americans, he was the representative Jew.
7 pages. light tears in the margins. light stains on some pages. Thick and fine paper. Good Condition.
