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"The Ballad of Major Andre," Sequenced by John Renfro Davis. Click the button to stop the music. Click here for the history of the song. |
        Membership eligibility at the NSDAR website.  Discover Lewis and Clark  Email For Membership Information |
| Our Beginning Schools also were erected in 1909 when the school enrollment in Eugene reached 700. Eugene High School required an addition to be built in less than two years after its first construction, and by 1915, the building was abandoned in favor of a larger facility. The University of Oregon was also expanding rapidly with its School of Education starting in 1910, Schools of Journalism and Commerce established in the early 1910s, and its Law School locating at the Eugene campus from Portland in 1915. 
In part, this growth may have been due to the development in the timber industry in Lane County.
By the early 20th century, logging and lumbering were firmly established as major elements in Lane County’s economy. Other contributions to economic and population growth were the following:1) the organization of farmers which eventually lead to a new company now known as Agripac; 2) the arrival of the Oregon Electric Railroad in 1912; 3) the introduction of the streetcar system in 1906; 4) the advent of the automobile in 1904. These events lead to paved roads, more tourism, urban growth, changes in land use patterns in residential design, and a change in the way of life.** Such was life in Eugene when the Oregon Lewis & Clark Chapter was founded in late 1913, the tail end of the Progressive Era of 1884 to 1913. The chapter's first member was Mae Beadle Frink, who joined on November 18, 1913. She was soon followed by Ray Jenkins and Charlotte A. Choate who were accepted at NSDAR on December 17, 1913. By mid-April, the chapter had fourteen additional new members, and it continued to grow. We now have 108 members who reside in Eugene, Springfield, Junction City, Pleasant Hill, Florence, Cottage Grove, Scio, and Creswell. If you live in our area, you are welcome to visit us at our meetings. Simply click on the email button to request visiting information and/or membership information. We look forward to meeting you, and we want to help you to become a member. **Source: "The Progressive Era: 1884-1913," by the City of Eugene Planning Dept. A link is provided at our "Links" web page. |
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| History of the "Ballad of Major Andre" |
| "Benedict Arnold was one of the great heroes of the Revolution. He had distinguished himself in Canada and Saratoga. However, he was reprimanded by Washington for his conduct in Philadelphia and passed over for promotion. Angry and in debt, Arnold contacted Sir Henry Clinton and planned to betray West Point to the British. Major John Andre was Clinton's adjutant and Arnold's contact. After a meeting with Arnold, Andre was caught behind the lines by a group of militiamen commanded by John Paulding. He was in civilian clothes with a pass from Arnold - and the plans to West Point were found in his boot. Arnold heard of Andre's capture and fled. Major John Andre was hanged October 2, 1780. In 1821 Andre's body was exhumed and reburied in Hero's Corner in Westminster Abbey. The ballad is also known as The Execution of Major Andre and Major Andre's Capture. This version was collected from the Hudson Valley. Scott calls it a "uniquely American ballad." A copy of the song was found in a copybook dated 1822. (As Andre is still buried in America in these lyrics, the song would seem to date prior to 1821.)" Information and music contributed by "Popular Songs In American History," a folk music website by Lesley Nelson. A link is provided on our "Links" web page. Source: "The Ballad of America," by John Anthony Scott, Grosset & Dunlap, New York, 1967 Click here to see the lyrics to the song. |
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| Lyrics To "Ballad of Major Andre" |
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Come, all you brave Americans, And unto me give ear, I'll sing you now a ditty That will your spirits cheer, Concerning a young gentleman Who came from Tarrytown, Where he met a British officer, A man of high renown. Then up spoke this young hero, Young Paulding was his name; '0 tell us where you're going, sir, And also whence you came.' 'I bear the British flag, sir,' Up answered bold André, 'I have a pass that takes me through, I have no time to stay.' Then others came around him, And bade him to dismount: 'Come tell us where you're going, Give us a strict account;' Young Paulding said, 'We are resolved That you shall ne'er pass by'; And so the evidence did prove The prisoner a spy. He begged for his liberty, He pled for his discharge, And oftentimes he told them, If they'd set him at large, 'Of all the gold and silver I have laid up in store, But when I reach the city I will send you ten times more.' 'We scorn this gold and silver You have laid up in store,' Van Vert and Paulding both did cry, 'You need not send us more.' He saw that his conspiracy Would soon be brought to light, He begged for pen and paper And he asked for to write. The story came to Arnold Commanding at the Fort: He called for the Vulture And sailed for New York; Now Arnold to New York has gone, A-fighting for his King, And left poor Major André On the gallows for to swing. André was executed, He looked both meek and mild, His face was fair and handsome, And pleasantly he smiled. It moved each eye with pity, And every heart there bled, And everyone wished him released And Arnold in his stead. He was a man of honor! In Britain he was born, To die upon the gallows Most highly he did scorn. And now his life has reached its end So young and blooming still- In Tappan's quiet countryside He sleeps upon the hill. Return To Top. |