Previous posts for October 7th are here: Alfred Drake; William Billings; John (Cougar) Mellencamp (2019), Joe Hill; Shura Cherkassky (2020), Yo-Yo Ma (2021), Alfred Drake (2022), and Charles Crozat Converse (2023)
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William Billings (7 October 1746 – 26 September 1800) was an American composer and is regarded as the first American choral composer
Stanzas for a Pioneer
Billings' work was very popular in its heyday, but his career was hampered by the primitive state of copyright law in America at the time. By the time the copyright laws had been strengthened, it was too late for Billings: the favorites among his tunes had already been widely reprinted in other people's hymnals, permanently copyright-free. He died in poverty in Boston. — adapted from Wikipedia
The music of Billings is vigorous;
It’s sturdy and solid and brash.
His training was casual, not rigorous,
But he made, nonetheless, quite a splash.
He was born when the States were colonial,
He died when his country was free.
I’d provide an enthused testimonial,
But he needs no endorsement from me.
He never was given the proper
Rewards.and a posthumous fame.
Is never a boon for a pauper,
The copyright laws were to blame.
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