“The advantage which poetry has over prose, in producing an impression, and a more abiding impression, is universally acknowledged. Accompanied by music, its power is doubtless increased; yet we believe that the effect so frequently produced upon the sensibilities by some national air or popular ballad, or by the soul-inspiring melody of the sea-song, which gives animation to the sailor as he heaves at the windlass, or which beguiles the long, lone months of the foreign voyage, arise generally from the sentiment of the song, rather than the mere modulation of the sounds which accompanies them….”
[Our Pastor, Or, Reminiscences of Rev. Edward Payson, D.D., Pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Portland, Me., Weston, 1855]