WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
MUSIC IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
HISTORY
The Christmas carol, "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains", was written and composed by John Menzies Macfarlane in St. George in 1869.The Mormon hymn, "Dearest Children, God Is Near You", was written by Charles Lowell Walker and composed by John Menzies Macfarlane in St. George.
The "Russell Family Band" entertained the citizenry of Grafton around 1895.
The western band, "The Texas Ramblers", visited St. George and performed at dances in the 1940s. They also had a thirty minute radio program on KSUB in Cedar City.
PHOTOS
WCHS photos:WCHS-01384 Early Dance Orchestra in Dixie
WCHS-01547 St. George Martial Band on July 4th, 1951
Photos on the web:
Macfarlane Tabernacle Choir
REFERENCES
"Come To Utah's Dixie Land"Words and music by Eva L. Miles
"Dixie College Song"
Words by Arthur K. Hafen and piano arrangement by Evelyn Thurston
Music Videos with Folksongs About the Zion Canyon and Springdale Areas
Red Rock Rondo: Rocks on Fire about the Zion Canyon Tunnel
Red Rock Rondo: Don Falvey Waltz based on a tune named after Zion's first chief ranger
Red Rock Rondo: When the Rooster Crows (Company's Coming) about the Leon Lewis farm in Springdale
Red Rock Rondo: Back & Forth (A Ghost Story) from Grafton
Red Rock Rondo: Hay-Colored Leaves about the Mulberry trees of Springdale
Song: "St. George"
Words and music by Charlie Walker; sung by Rudger McArthur.
This audio recording was made by Austin E. Fife in St. George in 1947.
The song runs a minute and a half, followed by a 30 second explanation by Mr. McArthur:
Charlie Walker was an early St. George pioneer and this song was dear to the hearts of the early settlers.
It was often sung by Samuel L. Adams, Rudger McArthur's grandfather.
For the printed words, click here.
Book: Doug Liston with H.C. & Kay Hunt and Carol Liston, "Musicians of Southern Utah"
Book: Andrew Karl Larson, " I Was Called to Dixie"
pp. 46, 477-505