Paul Revere's Ride
By E. T. Paull
Explanatory

Undoubtedly the greatest ride ever made in the history of the world, on the success of which so much depended, was the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and his cry of Alarm, that he shouted to the Minute Men and Patriots on the way from Boston, Mass., to Lexington and Concord, on the night of April 18th 1775.

Other rides, such as General Sheridan's, from Winchester, Va., to save his army from utter rout and confusion, at the battle of Cedar Creek, shouting to his retreating soldiers, "Face the other way boys; we are going back," also the warning cry of the martyr, John Baker, that peerless rider, as he dashed down the Conemaugh Valley to Johnstown, in a race against absolute death and devastation, shouting to the people, "Flee to the Mountains for your lives; the dam has burst," are both historical and world-renowned.

In the case of General Sheridan, the fate of an army was in the balance. In the case of John Baker, the fate of a doomed City was at stake; But in the case of Paul Revere, it was practically the fate of an entire nation, that depended on that midnight ride.

The best possible description of this ride, obtainable anywhere, is given in Longfellow's complete Poem, entitled, "Paul Revere's Ride."

Through the courtesy of Mess. Houghton Mifflin & Co., of Boston, Mass., who are the authorized publishers of Longellow's complete works, special permission has been granted to the author, to use the following extracts from that celebrated poem.

Paul Revere's Ride

Listen, my children and you shall hear
     Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
*     *     *     *     *
He said to his friend, "If the British march
     By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
     Of the North Church tower as a signal light,
One, if by land, and two if by sea;"
*     *     *     *     *
Then he said, "Good night" and with muffled oar
     Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore.
*     *     *     *     *
Meanwhile, his friend through alley and street,
     Wanders and watches with eager ears,
Till in the silence around him he hears
     The muster of men at the barrack door,
The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet.
*     *     *     *     *
Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church,
     By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread
To the belfry chamber overhead.
style="text-align:center"*     *     *     *     *
Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride,
     Booted and spurred with a heavy stride
On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere
*     *     *     *     *
But mostly he watched with eager search
     The belfry tower of the Old North Church		 And lo, as he looks on the belfry's height
     A glimmer and then a gleam of light!
He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
     But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight
A second lamp in the belfry burns!
     A hurry of hoofs in the village street,
*     *     *     *     *
Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet;
     That was all! and yet, through the gloom and the light
The fate of a nation was riding that night.
*     *     *     *     *
It was twelve by the village clock
     When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.
*     *     *     *     *
And the barking of the farmer's dog
     And felt the damp of the river fog.
*     *     *     *     *
It was one by the village clock,
     When he galloped into Lexington.

*     *     *     *     *

It was two by the village clock,
     When he came to the bridge in Concord town.
*     *     *     *     *
So through the night rode Paul Revere;
     And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm.
*     *     *     *     *
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
     And a word that shall echo forevermore!
*     *     *     *     *
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
     The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
     And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

The Author has attempted to make Paul Revere's Ride a descriptive March-Galop, similar in character to his other march composition, "The Burning of Rome;" therefore, the performer will notice, that the various headings have been printed in the music, which illustrates the idea and charcter of the march, beginning with the "Horse Galloping," in the introduction of the piece, and ending with "Enemy In Full Retreat" found in the latter part of the Trio; after which follows a repetition of the first and second strains; the entire piece concluding with, "Cheers of the Victors," found in the Finale.

The Author trusts that his efforts, in this March-Galop may meet with the same general support accorded his other march compostions.

Respectfully,
          E. T. Paull

close window