George F. Root

George F. Root
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Short Name: George F. Root
Full Name: Root, George F. (George Frederick), 1820-1895
Birth Year: 1820
Death Year: 1895

Root, George F., MUS. DOC, born in Sheffield, Berkshire County, Mass., Aug. 30, 1820. He is much more widely known as a composer of popular music than as a hymn writer. Four of his hymns are in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos, 1878. Nos. 16, 100, 293, and 297. A sympathetic biographical sketch, with portrait, is in The Tonic Sol-Fa Reporter, Sep. 1886. He died Aug. 6, 1895.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

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George Frederick Root was born in Sheffield, Mass., August 30, 1820. His father moved to North Reading, near Boston, when the boy was six years old, and there his youth was spent.

He was always fond of music— not singing at all as a boy, but played upon every kind of instrument that came in his way. At thirteen it was his pride that he could "play a tune" on as many instruments as he was years old. His dream of life was to be a musician, although such an ambition was looked down upon by all his relatives and friends, excepting a fond mother. In the fall of 1838 he went to Boston and made an engagement to work for Mr. A. N. Johnson and take lessons on the piano.

His father and one of the brothers were at the time in South America, and the mother, with six younger children, was at home on the farm. When he secured the engagement with Mr. Johnson to receive three dollars a week and board and lessons, the neighbors became interested and encouraged him to go ahead, they promising to help look after the farm and see that the family got along. The young man's happiness over these events can better be imagined than described.

On the second day of October, 1838, he entered upon his duties in his new heaven on earth located at Harmony Hall, Mr. Johnson's music-room, in Boston. His duties were to see to the fires, care for the room, answer callers, give information about Mr. Johnson when he was out, and practice his lessons when not otherwise engaged. He worked industriously and made steady progress. It was but a few weeks till Mr. Johnson had him playing for the prayer-meeting, and but a few more till he began turning over pupils to him. In about seven weeks' time Mr. Johnson encouraged him by a considerable increase of salary. A most important event to him was meeting Dr. Lowell Mason and being accepted as a bass singer in the celebrated Bowdoin Street choir. Also, on Mr. Johnson's recommendation, he began taking private voice lessons of Mr. Geo. Jas. Webb, the then celebrated voice teacher of Boston. He continued at least a year with Mr. Webb.

His first real singing class was taught the following fall, 1839, at the North End. It lasted nearly through the winter, and on the closing night his class made him a present of a silver goblet, suitably engraved, which he kept among his treasures.

Before the first year was up Mr. Johnson proposed a five year partnership, by which Mr. Root was to receive one-third of their earnings, and the former was to have the privilege of visiting Germany part of the time if he chose. They then changed their quarters to three rooms in the basement of Park Street Church. The annual rental was six hundred dollars. They were kept quite busy.

At this time Dr. Mason's music teaching in the public schools was a growing success, and Messrs. Johnson and Root were employed to assist him. Drs. Mason and Webb had introduced what is now called Musical Conventions a year or two previous to this. They called them "The Teachers' Class." Teachers and singers were called to Boston from surrounding territory to study and practice pretty much as they do now at normals.

In 1841 Mr. Root became one of the teachers in this class. He taught vocal training and continued this work for years afterward in Dr. Mason's teachers' classes, and later incorporated the same method in his own normals. During this year Mr. Johnson went to Germany, and left the two large church choirs (Winter Street and Park Street) in charge of Mr. Root. One of the organs was played by a pupil — Mr. S. A. Bancroft.

Everything went smoothly during Mr. Johnson's absence as it did also after his return. During the last year of the five-year partnership, Mr. Root was called to take the organ at Bowdoin Street, Mr. Mason changing to Winter Street. An amicable settlement was made between Messrs. Johnson and Root, and the partnership dissolved.

In 1811, Mr. Jacob Abbott (father of Lyman Abbott)and his three brothers had established a young ladies' school in New York City. They wanted a music teacher, and offered the position to Mr. Root. They also secured him the organ and choir of the Mercer Street Church, with prospects for other good work. It required pretty strong persuasive arguments to tempt Mr. Root to leave Boston, he was doing well there, and as the sequel shows, there was an attraction in Boston that held him in too tight a grasp to be relinquished by the mere offer of greater power and place. He made up his mind, however, only after getting the consent of the powders of Boston to take with him this [to him] the greatest attraction of the city — Miss Mary Olive Woodman — an accomplished lady, a sweet singer, and a member of a prominent family of musicians. He went to New York first to prepare a home, and in August, 1845, returned for his bride, who took her place in his New York choir as leading soprano, and through his long and eventful career she was ever at his side, a true helpmeet.

He was soon employed at Rutger's Female Institute, Miss Haines' School for Young Ladies, Union Theological Seminary and the New York State Institution for the Blind. Within six weeks after he arrived in New York his time was fully occupied. He continued with Mr. Abbott's young ladies' school ten years.

While teaching in New York he continued his summer work with Messrs. Mason and Webb in Teachers' Classes. Up to the year 1849 he had written but little music; only a few hymn tunes while in Boston. He needed more music for the young ladies of his schools, so he made his first book, The Young Ladies' Choir, of which he had enough copies made for his own use, as he had no thought of offering it to the public. Then in connection with Mr. J. E. Sweetser, they compiled the Root and Sweetser's Collection.

Mr. Root did work enough for two men, hence broke down in health. Mr. Abbott suggested that he take a trip to Paris. After weighing the matter carefully, in December, 1853, he sailed, and in due time arrived at Paris, where he began studying French, voice culture and piano under celebrated teachers. After spending nearly a year abroad, he returned home in improved health and ready for active work. He began to feel the need of new music for his classes, and after some thought decided upon a musical play ; the subject and title, The Flower Queen.

At the Institution for the Blind was a young lady, a former pupil, but now a teacher who had shown some poetical talent. He asked her to help him with the words. He would suggest in prose what the flowers might say and she would put it into rhyme. She did it so well that it seldom needed any alteration. This lady was the now famous Fanny Crosby. The cantata became very popular. About this time Mr. Root wrote a half dozen simple songs for the people. They all sold pretty well, but Hazel Dell and Rosalie, the Prairie Flower, became the most popular, and had a large sale.

It was in the summer of 1853 that the first real normal was held. Mr. Root originated it, and held it in New York. The principal teachers were Messrs. Mason, Root, Hastings, and Bradbury. This school became famous. Sessions were also held at North Reading, Mass., a village near Mr. Root's "Willow Farm Home," with Dr. Mason, Mr. Webb, Mr. Bradbury and himself as principal teachers.

About this time Mr. Root decided to give up his work in New York, and devote himself entirely to conventions, normal work and authorship. He was eminently successful. Among the most eminent teachers and composers of our country have been students in Dr. Geo. F. Root's Normal Musical Institute.

In 1860 Dr. Root settled in Chicago and entered the music publishing business with his brother E. T. Root, and C. M. Cady, as "Root & Cady," Mr. Root's reputation being the most important capital of the firm. His books and popular songs soon made the new firm prosperous. Then came the war with its horror. Dr. Root wielded his musical sword in the way of writing war songs, which made him famous. The Battle Cry of Freedom, Just Before the Battle, Mother, and others, made thousands of dollars for the music house.

In the great Chicago fire of 1871 the interests of the firm of Root & Cady became engulfed in the general ruin. Their loss was upward of a quarter of a million dollars. They then sold their book catalogue, plates and copyrights to John Church & Co., of Cincinnati, and the sheet music plates and copyrights to S. Brainard's Sons, Cleveland. These sales realized about §130,000. The final result was that Dr. Root, his talented son F. W., and others became connected with John Church & Co. Under this new business relationship Mr. Root went right on with his normal and convention work; also issued a great many new books and cantatas. In 1872 the Chicago University very worthily conferred upon him the degree Doctor of Music.

In 1886 he made a trip to Scotland and England, and arranged with publishers to issue some of his cantatas. He was royally received.

Dr. Root was the author of about seventy-five books, nearly two hundred songs in sheet form, and many popular gospel songs. Dr. Root occupies a prominent place in the musical history of this country. It was Dr. Mason who lifted music from almost nothing and gave it an impetus, but he left no better follower than Dr. Root to carry on his work. He was a man of spotless integrity and high Christian character, and to know him was to love him.

At the time of Dr. Root's death he was at Bailey Island, Maine, a summer resort, where he and other relatives had cottages. On August 6, 1895, he was seized with neuralgia of the heart — and died within one hour. He was buried at North Reading, Mass., his old home.

--Hall, J. H. (c1914). Biographies of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company.

Wikipedia Biography

George Frederick Root (August 30, 1820 – August 6, 1895) was an American songwriter, who found particular fame during the American Civil War, with songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom". He is regarded as the first American to compose a secular cantata.

Texts by George F. Root (157)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
A home have I in distant landGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
A Jesucristo ven sin tardarGeorge Frederick Root (Author)Spanish14
Almighty God, we praise in theeGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Along the river of time we glideGeo. F. Root (Author)English18
Around the great white throne some dayG. F. R. (Author)English1
Art Thou He that should come, Or look we for another?G. F. R. (Author)English2
As flies the bird on eager wingG. F. R. (Author)English3
At my work I'm always singingGeorge F. Root (Author)English1
Beautiful the fields beyond the riverG. F. R. (Author)English4
Behold the banner over usGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Blessed he who will not walkGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Brother, brother, stay thy handG. F. R. (Author)English2
Children of Jerusalem, place the royal diademGeorge F. Root (Author)English5
Christian, do you pray for the land's releaseG. F. Root (Author)English2
Clear as crystal flows the riverGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
Come, for a new life take your standG. F. R. (Author)English2
Come in earnest fervent prayerGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Come join the prohibition armyG. F. R. (Author)English2
Come nearer, nearer stillGeo. F. Root (Author)English2
Come, O mighty Savior, comeG. F. R. (Author)English2
Come to the Savior, make no delayGeorge Frederick Root, 1820-1893 (Author)English125
Doubt no more thy Savior's powerG. F. R. (Author)English4
Ein krankes Weib berührte im GlaubenGeorge F. Root (Author)German3
Ein Weib drang durch des VolkesG. F. Root (Author)German3
El camino es escabrosoGeorge F. Root (Author)Spanish2
Father, from whose hand doth springGeorge F. Root (Author)English8
Father, hear our supplication, Answer now, we humbly prayG. F. R. (Author)English2
Father, lean upon my armG. F. R. (Author)English2
Fill the ranks! fill the ranks!George F. Root (Author)English2
Fill the ranks with votersGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
First in bondage, then in the wildernessGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
Fling out the royal bannerGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Fly, birdie sweet, fly farGeorge F. Root (Author)2
For me a license lowG. F. R. (Author)English2
Frelst blot af naade, o, hviliken daad!G. F. Root (Author)Norwegian2
From the temples fair of the better landGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Gleaners in the harvest fieldGeorge F. Root (Author)2
حالا تعالوا إلى المسيحGeorge F. Root (Author)Arabic1
Hall lampan klar och redoGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Hans Kl'debon hun ikkun beroerteGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Hear, O brothers, hear! you never have conceivedGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
Hear our prayer to heaven ascendingGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Hear the children cry as the King draws nighGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Hear the heavenly Shepherd sayingGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Hear us, heavenly Father, hear us, Hear the prayer we offer nowG. F. R. (Author)English2
Hear ye the tramp of the ransomed thousands?G. F. R. (Author)English2
Hearts and voices in glad exultationGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Here we watch, here we wait, for Thy coming, blessed LordG. F. R. (Author)English2
Holy, holy, holy Thou, At whose feet the angels bowGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Hush, children, hush! your father'll soon be hereGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Hvarfoer vill du 'n droejaGeorge F. Root (Author)2
I know there are flowers in the beautiful bowersGeorge F. Root (Author)2
I love to hear the story Which angel voices tellGeorge F. Root (Author)English1
If this were the only worldGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
In her home the mother sits thinking anxiously and longGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
In his lowly grave we've laid himG. F. R. (Author)English2
In the prison cell I sitGeorge F. Root (Author)English4
Inca ken Cristo, dica agtactacG. F. R. (Author)Tagalog2
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the worldG. F. R. (Author)English1
Kom, nu til Jesus, løb ham imodG. F. Root (Author)Norwegian2
Kom nu til Jesus, opf't det ejGeorge F. Root (Author)Norwegian3
Kom nu till Jesus, droj ej en stundGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Komm zu dem Heiland, komme noch heut'George Frederik Root (Author)German10
Komm zu dem Heiland, säume doch nichtGeorge F. Root (Author)German1
Kommt zum Erlöser, säumet nur nichtGeorge F. Root (Author)German4
Kwa nini wataka kungoja?George F. Root (Author)Swahili2
Look to the Lord every hour, every minuteGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
May the peace that passeth understandingGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
May we ask you, Christian brotherGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
'Mid the beacons on the shoreG. F. R. (Author)English2
My soul, the Master speaks againGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Never give up the right wayGeorge F. Root (Author)English9
Njooni kwa mponya njooni leoGeorge F. Root (Author)Swahili2
No aguardes más, amigoGeorge F. Root (Author)Spanish4
No parents to love meGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Not those who say and singG. F. R. (Author)English4
Now to Jesus Christ the gloryGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Now while we gather here round the altarG. F. R. (Author)English2
O blest are they Who love the holy placeGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
O do not be discouraged, brother, do not yet give upG. F. R. (Author)English2
O happy day! O blessed hour!George F. Root (Author)English2
O my heart, my heart, you neverGeorge F. Root (Author)2
O, ry mpanota aza mandaG. F. Root (Author)Malagasy2
O the hills are sweet and the waters clearG. F. R. (Author)English5
O the sunshine, the sunshine, so beautiful and freeGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
O the way is long and wearyGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
O touch the hem of His garment (Chorus)Geo. F. Root (Author)English1
O we are volunteers [soldiers] in the army of the LordGeo. F. Root (Author)English27
O we must be ready by nightGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Of ourselves we know we're helplessGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
O bless us, heavenly FatherR. F. G. (Author)English2
O the Sabbath morning, beautiful and brightG. F. Root (Author)English1
O, the Savior's mighty hand can saveG. F. R. (Author)English2
On this pleasant Sabbath dayGeorge F. Root (Author)1
Our lamps are trimmed and burningGeorge F. Root (Author)English12
Our marching orders we've receivedG. F. R. (Author)English4
Pójdź do Jezusa, dziś jeszcze czas!George F. Root (Author)Polish2
Recojamos los destellosGeorge F. Root, 1820-1895 (Author)Spanish2
Sag', warum noch warten, mein Bruder [o Seele]George F. Root (Author)German7
See, brothers, see, on every sideG. F. R. (Author)English2
Sentinel, be thou watchfulGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
She only touched the hem of His garmentGeorge F. Root (Author)English60
Skynda till Jesus, frälsaren kärG. F. R. (Author)Swedish2
Skynda till Jesus, Fr'lsaren k'rGeorge F. Root (Author)3
Sweet 'tis to sing of TheeGeorge F. Root (Author)English27
Swing the golden censers while we march alongGeorge F. Root (Author)English3
Take us, dear SaviorGeorge F. Root (Author)2
The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord is in His holy templeGeorge F. Root, 1820-1895 (Author)English1
The monitor withinGeorge F. Root (Author)1
The prayer ascends all over the landG. F. R. (Author)English2
The story old yet ever newG. F. R. (Author)English2
They are gathering, slowly gatheringGeorge F. Root (Author)English7
They go to the grave in crowdsG. F. Root (Author)English2
This may be the last call, brotherGeorge F. Root (Author)4
Thou art my Rock in the wide desert landGeorge F. Root (Author)English4
'Tis a gracious invitation from the KingGeorge F. Root (Author)2
'Tis the joy and delight of my lifeG. F. R. (Author)English2
'Tis the onward march of the conquering host!G. F. R. (Author)English2
To God, the Father, Spirit, SonGeorge F. Root (Author)3
To the Lord Jesus Christ be the gloryGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Twende kwa Yesu mimi naweGeorge F. Root (Author)Swahili1
"Venid a mí", el Salvador diceG. F. Root (Author)Spanish1
Vent nu ej mer, min BroderGeorge F. Root (Author)1
Vor Lampe f'rdig br'nderGeorge F. Root (Author)1
Warum noch warten? Warum verzieh'n?G. F. Root (Author)German3
Was zögerst du, mein Bruder?George F. Root (Author)German1
We are little sunbeams (Root)George F. Root (Author)1
We come with joyful song, To the place we love so dearlyGeorge F. Root (Author)English5
We passed poor Johnny's cabinGeo. F. Root (Author)3
What does prohibition mean?G. F. R. (Author)English2
What is the grain on the prairie wideGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
What part shall wives and mothers takeG. F. R. (Author)English2
What think ye of Christ? O solemn wordG. F. R. (Author)English2
What words almost despairingGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
When does creation give praise to GodGeorge F. Root (Author)English4
When foreign foes invade the landG. F. R. (Author)English2
When He cometh, when He comethG. F. R. (Author)English1
When lightly over the mountain rillGeorge F. Root (Author)English5
When saw we Thee a hungered Lord, and ministered unto Thee?George F. Root (Author)English3
When the way seems dark and drearGeorge F. Root (Author)English1
When you can find no other helpGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Where hast thou built thine houseGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Which road are you choosing, young friends?George F. Root (Author)English3
While men slept, the enemy sowed the taresG. F. R. (Author)English3
While the Gospel sound is heardGeorge F. Root (Author)English2
Who is there, who is there, gently knockingGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Why delay to make your peace with heaven's eternal King?G. F. R. (Author)English5
Why do you linger, why do you stayG. F. R. (Author)English7
Why do you wait, dear brotherGeorge F. Root (Author)English405
Will temperance workers now in doubtG. F. R. (Author)English2
Wir gleiten elend im Strom der ZeitGeorge F. Root (Author)German2
Would you know why Christ, my SaviorG. F. R. (Author)English9
Wouldst thou hear thy Savior's voice?George F. Root (Author)English2
Yes, the mother loves her homeG. F. R. (Author)English2
Yes, we'll rally for the right, friends, we'll rally once againG. F. R. (Author)English2
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once againGeorge F. Root (Author)2
Zion, beautiful beyond compareG. F. R. (Author)English2

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