Pretty much everyone already knows that there actually *was* a band on Titanic that went up on deck while the ship sank and played cheery music to keep the passengers from panicking. All of the band members died.
Most people think there was only one band on the Titanic, but actually there were two bands. There was a string quintet that was used for every day stuff (there were no brass or drums; don't be fooled by the Harry Chapin song "Dance Band on the Titanic"). Also, they had a trio that played in the Cafe Parisien (a Parisian cafe, complete with authentic French waiters) and consisted of a violinist, a cellist, and a pianist.
There is quite a bit of controversy over what they played last. Yeah, I know, it sounds a little ridiculous to squabble over what the band played last, but I thought this was interesting, okay? :-) Most people say the last song they played was "Nearer, My God, To Thee". This is the view that James Cameron holds in his movie. However, there are several reasons to doubt that this was true. First of all (this is something I just learned), the hymn is sung to at least three different tunes. In America, the tune "Bethany", by Lowell Mason, is normally used. It's certainly the tune I have in both of the hymnals I've used. But in Great Britain, the tune "Horbury", by J.B. Dykes is used. Methodists use "Propior Deo" by Sir Arthur Sullivan. So if they played the hymn, which version did they use? Well, as it was a British ship (White Star Line is a British company), the Church of England was the official church for all the church services. Therefore all of the musicians would probably have known how to play "Horbury". But they could also have used "Propior Deo", since Hartley was actually a Methodist.
Telegraph operator Harold Bride said he remembered the last song as "Autumn". Some people say he meant the tune to which the hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" is set. Others say he meant the popular ragtime song, "Songe d'Automne".
I would like to believe they went down playing a hymn, but as I wasn't there, I'm not picking sides. Anyway, it really doesn't matter what they played. It matters what they *did*. They gave up their own comfort in order to bring comfort and peace to others. Music has a way of doing that. I greatly admire them for their self-sacrifice.
If the sacrifice of these eight musicians touches you like it touches me, feel free to copy this graphic and display it on your page. Please link it back to this page so that everyone who sees it will know what it's there for, k?
