The New York Herald of Nov. 9, 1884, printed an interview with an unnamed New York City ballad publisher, who said, among other things:

"Some songs attain a great popularity for no merit of their own. They are sung from the stage by some popular performer, and those who hear them go home and spread the melodies. 'Sweet Maggie Gordon' is a good sample of the trash that succeeds. Here is a verse and the chorus:—

I wish I had a glass of water—
I will tell you the reason why:
While I am drinking I am thinking
Of my true love, with a sigh.

CHORUS.

Sweet Maggie Gordon, you are my bride;
Come and sit thee on my knee,
And tell to me the reason
Why I am slighted so by thee.

Now that song had a tremendous run among the shop-girls of this city, although it did not sell in the country at all."