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Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion

Q (Frank Staplin) 07 May 11 - 10:09 PM
michaelr 07 May 11 - 10:29 PM
Alice 07 May 11 - 11:13 PM
Alice 07 May 11 - 11:28 PM
Alice 07 May 11 - 11:36 PM
Deckman 08 May 11 - 12:10 AM
Alice 08 May 11 - 12:14 AM
Alice 08 May 11 - 12:34 AM
Alice 08 May 11 - 11:49 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 08 May 11 - 01:31 PM
catspaw49 08 May 11 - 01:45 PM
catspaw49 08 May 11 - 02:33 PM
Alice 08 May 11 - 03:41 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 08 May 11 - 04:03 PM
catspaw49 08 May 11 - 04:39 PM
Jim Dixon 10 May 11 - 08:20 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 11 May 11 - 01:23 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 12 May 11 - 01:46 PM
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Subject: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 May 11 - 10:09 PM

In 1895, stored dynamite in a warehouse in Butte, Montana, exploded and killed over 100 people.

A song was written about it shortly afterward by two ladies. A tv program on the explosion on PBS Spokane (or Seattle?) showed a quick shot of the sheet music. The title was "Butte's Fatal Explosion."
I haven't been able to locate the sheet music or the lyrics.
I missed most of the program so I don't know if more information was given.

Did anyone see the program, or does anyone know where the sheet music can be found?


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: michaelr
Date: 07 May 11 - 10:29 PM

Sounds like a song for (or by) Spaw...


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 11 - 11:13 PM

Yes, I've seen the documentary a couple of times.
I'll see if I can track it down for you.


Alice in Montana


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 11 - 11:28 PM

The film was produced by the University of Montana in Missoula, MT.

Here is the film web site:

Hidden Fire The Great Butte Explosion

The executive producer was William Marcus, who can be contacted at

kufm@montanapbs.org

I'm sure if you email and request the info about the song they will provide more details.

There are additional historic photos linked to that page here:

pressroom photos


Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 11 - 11:36 PM

You can watch full video online of the film here:


http://watch.montanapbs.org/video/1430375505/


Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Deckman
Date: 08 May 11 - 12:10 AM

Alice ... I want to give you thanks for locating and posting this film. My grandfather left Finland in 1896 and arrived in Butte soon after. He became a "contract miner." These were the miners that were paid piece rate, and worked in the most dangerous mines. He escaped this and went to Minnesota in 1900. I grew up hearing of the horrors of the Butte mines, but this film brings it home. Thank you (kittos) again! bob(deckman)nelson


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 11 - 12:14 AM

I just watched the film again (online). The two sisters who wrote the song "Butte's Fatal Explosion" had the surname Henneberry.

Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 11 - 12:34 AM

The only copy of the sheet music I can find online is very expensive, from a bookstore in Corvallis, OR.

Butte's Fatal Explosion. to the Memory of the Lost. Words By Miss E. T. Henneberry. Music By Miss M. M. Henneberry

Binding: Decorated self-wrappers

Publisher: Miss M.M. Henneberry, [Butte, MT.

Date published: 1895

Alibris ID: 9677430008

Description: Small nick to lower edge, else near fine. [Cover title] 7, [1, blank] pp. 27 cm. x 35 cm. Rare piece of sheet music, commemorating the death of several firefighters in a fire and explosion in Butte, Montana, January 15, 1895. Waltz time, five flats, no copies located on OCLC.


Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 11 - 11:49 AM

Q, I'm sure there are copies in the Butte historical archives, so if you email them you will be able to get the lyrics.

Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 11 - 01:31 PM

Thanks for your work on this, Alice. It is a disaster song that I think should be in mudcat.
I will follow up on your information.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 11 - 01:45 PM

And its in A flat.........Does anyone like to play anything in A flat?


Spaw


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 11 - 02:33 PM

OMG!!! I was just reading the thread to Karen and Alice's post on the sheet music when I realized it said FIVE FLATS and not four. Evidently my brain couldn't absorb the concept of five flats and went back to four which is bad enough......but damn!!! Nobody plays in D flat do they?   I mean like guitar without using a capo. As far as other instruments, I was a reed player and I swear to you I detested anything going past 3 in either direction although I would venture into the occasional E if necessary.


Spaw


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 11 - 03:41 PM

Spaw, just watch the film and don't overtax your brain (the song is sung near the end). LOL


http://watch.montanapbs.org/video/1430375505/



Alice


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 11 - 04:03 PM

Spaw seems fixated on flatus today.

I have sent a request to the Archives.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 11 - 04:39 PM

Must be it Q...............Then again I'm always fixated on...............just skip it.................

Thanks Alice



Spaw


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 May 11 - 08:20 AM

WorldCat.org says that Mansfield Library, at the University of Montana, in Missoula, has the sheet music, described thus:

BUTTE'S FATAL EXPLOSION
"To the memory of the lost."
words by Miss E. T. Henneberry
music by Miss M. M. Henneberry
[S.l.] : M. M. Henneberry, c1895.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 May 11 - 01:23 PM

I have received a scan of the sheet music, thanks to Butte-Silver Bow Archives.
I will post the lyrics in the next day or so.


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Subject: Lyr Add: Butte's Fatal Explosion
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 May 11 - 01:46 PM

BUTTE'S FATAL EXPLOSION
Words, Miss E. T. Henneberry; Music Miss M. M. Henneberry
To the Memory of the Lost

1
'Twas fifty minutes past nine in the evening,
On the fifteenth of January ninety five,
That the firemen of Butte in Montana, State
Were call'd to extinguish a fire;
And the great and gallant firemen,
Like heroes true and brave,
Made ev'ry effort that they could all property to save.
What means this large gath'ring of people?
But Hark ! What deaf'ning sound is that which fills the air?
'Tis an explosion caused by powder,
Between South Butte and Butte City proper,
Fiercer still the fatal blast throws out its heated breath,
And holds many of Butte's citizens
Within the arms of death.

Chorus.
Honor the names of the firemen brave,
Who lost their lives, the city to save,
The husband and the fa; ther; the brother and the son,
Have left behind a record of duty nobly done,
The names of the lost heroes; will live in our hearts with pride,
And we shall ne'er forget Butte's firemen, who for duty bravely died.

2
The people rushed from their homes in wonder,
To a scene they can never, never forget,
And they witnessed the explosion of powder,
Which to them will be a life long regret;
That night 'mid black'ning ruins,
Oh! God, what a sight to be seen,
The dead all unshapely were lying where once joy hath reigned supreme.
Loud are the lamentations heard throughout the land,
For the widow's and the orphans,
Of that true and loyal band,
Of that true and loyal band,
May God in this hour of sorrow come to the widow's aid,
Caring to for the orphans*
Which this fatal explosion hath made.

Chorus.

Punctuation of sheet music as shown. *sic

C. 1895. No publisher given.

Many thanks to Lee Whitney, Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, 17 West Quartz, Butte, Montana 59701, for the scan of the sheet music.


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