Musical Heroes Wallace Hartley and the Titanic Band
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The Ship's Musicians Played as Titanic Sank
Yes, it's true that the Titanic's band played as the great ocean liner was sinking. Bandmaster Wallace Hartley, just 33, and the other seven musicians knew full well that they were doomed. By all accounts, not a one of them ever even donned a life jacket.
We'll never know what was in their minds, nor will we know exactly what music they played. But play they did. And played, and played.
Wallace Hartley was their leader, bandmaster on the Titanic.
At first, they played upbeat tunes in the first class lounge. Later, they moved out on deck and played as passengers desperately tried to escape. Finally, they played one last song, and shortly after . . . they were gone forever.
We'll never know what was in their minds, nor will we know exactly what music they played. But play they did. And played, and played.
Wallace Hartley was their leader, bandmaster on the Titanic.
At first, they played upbeat tunes in the first class lounge. Later, they moved out on deck and played as passengers desperately tried to escape. Finally, they played one last song, and shortly after . . . they were gone forever.
Monument to Wallace Hartley
Photo by LankyLad of CruiseLineFans
Used by special permission
page created 01/24/2012
last updated 05/28/2012
R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg
the night of April 14, 1912 and
sank to the sea floor in the
wee hours of April 15, 1912
All eight musicians perished
Wallace Hartley, Titanic Bandmaster
1878-1912
He was an accomplished violinist, having been first violinist in a municipal orchestra before signing on with the Cunard Line, where played first on the Lucania, and then the Lusitania. He must have been making a name for himself, as he was promoted to bandmaster of the famous Mauretania in the fall of 1910.
Then, at age 33, he was appointed bandmaster for the maiden voyage of White Star's brand new, luxurious RMS Titanic, where he would play his last song ever.
Photo by LankyLad of CruiseLineFans
Used by special permission
A Hymn for Eternity:
The Story of Wallace Hartley, Titanic Bandmaster
Now Available! Publication Date: April 1, 2012
The story of Wallace Hartley and his band playing as the ship sank is one of the most amazingly poignent true vignettes from the sinking of the Titanic. Yet, little has been known about Hartley and his mates.
Author Yvonne Carroll is about to change that, after years of research into the lives of the head violinist and the other musicians.
The story of Wallace Hartley and his band playing as the ship sank is one of the most amazingly poignent true vignettes from the sinking of the Titanic. Yet, little has been known about Hartley and his mates.
Author Yvonne Carroll is about to change that, after years of research into the lives of the head violinist and the other musicians.
A Hymn for Eternity: The Story of Wallace Hartley, Titanic Bandmaster
Amazon Price: $8.59 (as of 06/03/2012)
This book promises to tell the story of one of the great heroes of the Titanic tragedy. And, it is set to debut just days before the 100th anniversary of the fateful event.
The Titanic Musicians Monument
The valor, self-discipline, and composure they displayed that night was nothing short of extrordinary. Their names are etched on the RMS Titanic Musician's Memorial, in Southampton.
MEMBERS OF THE TITANIC ORCHESTRA
Wallace Hartley - bandmaster, violin
Roger Marie Bricoux, cello
Theodore Ronald Brailey, piano
John Wesley Woodward, cello
John Frederick Preston Clarke, string bass and viola
John Law Hume, violin
Percy Cornelius Taylor, piano
Georges Alexandré Krins, violin
Photo by LankyLad of CruiseLineFans
Used by special permission
What did the Band Play
as the Titanic was Sinking?
What Music Did The Titanic Musicians Play?We'll never know for sure.
But researchers have pieced together some very good probabilities. They've based their assumptions on remarks of survivors, playlists from the White Star Line, the likely reprotoires of the musicians, and the popular tunes of the day.
At first, the band was roused from their slumber, and ordered to play tunes to keep the First Class passengers entertained and calmed. They most likely played upbeat tunes - perhaps including Irving Berlin and other ragtime tunes - which were popular at the time.
A female passenger departing in a lifeboat is reported to have seen men near the railing, smoking cigarettes and tapping their toes to the band's music.
Titanic Music
The Heroic Musicians of the Titanic
Members of Titanic's Band
Published in 1912 by the Amalgated Musicians Union
Hero Musicians?
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The Band's Last Number
on the Boat Deck of the Titanic
At some point, the lounge had mostly emptied of passengers, and the band moved eventually out onto the boat deck, though some reports have them playing for a time in another location before relocating outside.Even after their leader released them to "save yourselves," the band members saw that Hartley was continuing to play, and so did they. The valiant orchestra continued playing until they could no longer stand.
The last song? It's uncertain, but may be one of three, each of which was reported by various passengers as their final number:
Nearer, My God, to Thee - Tune: Propior Deo
Nearer, My God, to Thee - Tune: Bethany
"Autumn" - Songe d'Automne
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Propior Deo)
Nearer, My God, to Thee - (Propior Deo)
From "A Night to Remember" (1958)
A number of sources report that musicians who had played with Hartley in the past said he had actually told them that, were he every to find himself aboard a sinking ship, he would play one of two songs: Either "Nearer, My God, to Thee" or "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"
This is the version the bandmaster favored, and the one his family feels must have been played
This is the version the bandmaster favored, and the one his family feels must have been played
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Nearer, My God, to Thee (Bethany)
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Bethany Melody)
From the 1997 movie Titanic.
A number of American passengers also reported hearing "Nearer, My God, to Thee" being played at the last. However, they would have recognized the music Bethany, which was the tune to which the hymn was sung in the States.
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Autumn - Songe d'Automne
Autumn
Song of Autumn or Dream of Autumn
Titanic's junior wireless operator, Harold Bride, reported that the final tune played was "Autumn." It is now thought that he referred to Song of Autumn, or Dream of Autumn, popular at the time. Bride died in 1956.
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Which Song Do You Think Was the Last One?
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Titanic Musicians Books, Music, and Pictures
Titanic Musicians
Heroes Then, Heroes Still
It would be two weeks before Hartley's body was recovered... still in his green band uniform.
A thousand people crowded into a chapel meant for 700 for his funeral, and a reported 30,000 to 40,000 lined the route of his funeral procession, which was led by no less than seven bands.
Though not all of the eight band members' bodies were recovered, all were revered as heroes, and given farewell ceremonies befitting such.
Download Some Titanic Music
iTunes
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oh, You Beautiful Doll | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Alexander's Ragtime Band (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Raggin' the Waves / the White Star Orchestra (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| That Mesmerizing Mendelssohn Tune (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Moonstruck (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Shine On Harvest Moon (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Frankie and Johnny - You'll Miss Me In the Days to Come (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Somewhere a Voice Is Calling | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Nearer My God to Thee | Titanic Orchestra | Back to Titanic | |
| Titanic Epic: The Titanic/Titanic/Nearer My God to Thee | Sparky & Rhonda Rucker | Treasures & Tears | |
| The Merry Widow Waltz | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage | |
| Songe d'Automne - Dream of Autumn (Studio) | Ian Whitcomb & The White Star Orchestra | Titanic: Music As Heard On the Fateful Voyage |
Inscription on Hartley Monument
Above photo courtesy of LankyLad at Cruise Line Fans
Used by special permission from the photo's owner
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Titanic Survivors
were rescued by
Captain Rostron of RMS Carpathia
The Guestbook Is: OPEN
What do you think of the brave musicians of the Titanic?
If you have no thoughts about that, then please stay long enough to say hello, OK?
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grannysage May 17, 2012 @ 6:07 pm | delete
- To have the courage to continue playing and not panic is indeed heroic. What a wonderful tribute lens.
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Anna2of5 May 14, 2012 @ 12:18 am | delete
- Lovely Lens. The music selections you found helped. I'd like to think they were playing Nearer to Thee as a prayer and a farewell. That one seems to fit such an end. I've found many brave souls who are musicians. i am married to one. he plays Trombone, and sings Baritone. he can read music. I merely memorize by practice for singing and its been years since I played Tympani. Still I know quite a few musicians, they are all beautiful people. Thank you for the lovely lens.
Sincerely, Anna2of5
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Karen1960
Apr 28, 2012 @ 2:29 pm | delete
- All brave men indeed. The story of violinist John Hume is especially poignant - he was only 21, and died not knowing that his fiancee was expecting his child. His father tried to block her getting any money from the fund that was set up for relatives, but fortunately he didn't succeed.
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MelonyVaughan
Apr 26, 2012 @ 7:00 pm | delete
- What a beautiful lens! I can only imagine how much strength of character it took for the musicians to keep playing whike the ship was sinking.
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Tipi
Apr 21, 2012 @ 11:02 am | delete
- A hundred years later, we still give tribute to the hero's of the Titanic's brave band with a tear, how tenderly and beautifully presented by you...and another angel stopping to bless labor of love...*
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LaraineRose
Apr 18, 2012 @ 7:37 am | delete
- A lovely tribute to this brave group of musicians. Disaster sometime brings out the best in people. Angel blessings!
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JoshK47
Apr 7, 2012 @ 10:31 am | delete
- I always found their story to be one of the most interesting on the Titanic tale. Thanks for sharing - blessed by a SquidAngel!
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pawpaw911
Mar 14, 2012 @ 11:33 am | delete
- What great history.
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BenJacklin
Mar 5, 2012 @ 12:55 pm | delete
- Great lens, super info and a tale I'd never heard!
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ronaldpakasi
Mar 4, 2012 @ 10:23 am | delete
- An inspiring and touching tribute for the heroes.... thank you for sharing! Love it!
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This Page about the Titanic Band
has been blessed by SquidAngels
Read More about the Titanic Musicians
You may find interesting reading about the last moments of the Titanic and her musicians who went down with the ship in some of the these articles I found in doing background research and fact checking for this page.
- Titanic-Titanic.com Article - Titanic's Valiant Musicians
- Titanic's Valiant Musicians
- Did Faith Drive Titanic's Musicians?
- Bandmaster Wallace Hartley's father was a Methodist choirmaster.
- A Hymn To Remember
- The last moments of the Titanic are full of mysteries - none more intriguing than those surrounding the ship's band
- BBC - Legacies - Myths and Legends - England - Lancashire - Wallace Hartley: Bandmaster of the Titanic - Article Page 1
- The Legend of the Titantic band leader Wallace Hartley
About the Author of this Page
Index
Musical Heroes Wallace Hartley and the Titanic Band
by CruiseReady
Nothing fascinating here... just a cranky old lady who loves to cruise, watch the Indy 500, and follow tropical weather systems.
I live on Florida's...
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