Oddly enough, research by George Behe suggests that a fairly inclusive range of largely British hymns as well as patriotic (British) non-hymn songs (this included) were played in the last 30 to 40 minutes or so before the final plunge, therefore, contrary to the common assumption, NMGTT may not have to have been the LAST song played that night. And in my opinion, it also might - just might - suggest that the band could well have played BOTH "Horbury" and "Propior Deo."
There is actually a version of NMGTT that sounds a fair bit like songe d'automne when played at the right tempo (I believe it's the version in A Night to Remember, and the version more known in the UK), so there could easily have been confusion between the two amongst survivors who weren't that knowledgeable about the music, and who probably has other things on their minds! Given the sheer amount of mythology surrounding the Titanic, we'll probably never know which it was. Both are beautiful.
However, Wallace Hartley, in an interview prior in his life, had said both that if he were ever on a sinking ship, he would play Nearer My God To Thee, and he would also like it played at his funeral. While a key witness said Autumn was played (see my other comment), a lot more witnesses, though almost all less credible, said Nearer My God was played.
To further fuel this debate here, here are some points for each contender:
Songe D'Automne was heard by a key witness, who was one of the few people close enough to hear it clearly. However, he never said the full name. He simply said "Autumn", which was interpreted as this piece. This song was also in the book of songs necessary for the orchestra to know, while Nearer My God To Thee was not.
You might also Google "And the Band Played On: Hypotheses Concerning What Music Was Performed Near the Climax of the Titanic Disaster" by J. Marshall Bevil, Ph.D. It's quite fascinating!
I'm pretty sure that this was the last actual song. Nearer My God To Thee was just happy and bright in sounding. This actually sounds dark, melancholic and sad, while Nearer sounds hopeful and inspirational.
I'm reminded of John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: "Print the legend." The consensus is that Wally&Co. played "Bethany," not "Horbury" or any other tunes. All the films save A Night to Remember agree that it was the American tune, not British, that was played. Wallace Hartley would have known the American tune if he played at Sunday services on his previous trips, since the First-Class on most ocean liners of the day were primarily American plutocrats; "Print the Legend!"
@therealjoebloggs Sounds unlikely given that Sunday services on most or all British ships (and I know of no non-British ship sailed on by Hartley) were run by the Anglican church (therefore "Horbury" would be the default version) and his family has given enough testimony to suggest that he would've chosen "Propior Deo" for his swan song if not pressured to do otherwise.
Eva Hart, who heard NMGTT on that night, heard the same melody in a _British_ church just months later. So there you have it.
@therealjoebloggs Actually, "Propior Deo" was the version he was most familiar with as it was his favored version of the song according to his family, and his father played it at his church when he was a child all the time. "Bethany" and "Horbury", although nicer in my opinion, are not as likely.
@Ericah81 Bride may have been closer to the scene to hear what song was being played, but so were a lot of other people, including those people in the lifeboats who testified on what they heard, as well, since the sound of the music carried far out over the water on that still night. Since Bride was in the minority of claiming to have heard "Autumn" when a lot more other people,even close to him, claimed to have heard the BRITISH version of NMGTT, Bride could have misinterpreted song titles.
@Ericah81 There also remians the debate that neither the hymn (Autumn) or Songe d'Autumn were never in the White Star Line song book. But you're right, Bride's account of the incident is the more reliable one since he floated off deck near the final moments of the sinking so it's more likely that he would have known what song that was planning. But in the panic it's truely hard to say who was right and wrong.
@Ericah81 There also remians the debate that neither the hymn (Autumn) or Songe d'Automne were never in the White Star Line song book. But you're right, Bride's account of the incident is the more reliable one since he floated off deck near the final moments of the sinking so it's more likely that he would have known what song that was planning. But in the panic it's truely hard to say who was right and wrong.
further to my post below, "Songe d'automne" WAS the last piece played in the Titanic BALLROOM and nowhere else but the BALLROOM, Goddamit ! Rely on me!
@AlbusPercyDumbledore I am not sure if with all the panic the band could not tell when the finale plunge was going to happen so onestly this song sounds more fit to of been played last not to mention they were told to keep it cheery so why would they play a somber song like nearer my god to thee
@Kiyoko504 Because they realized all the boats had left and all the remaining passengers were heading to the back of the ship. They knew they were facing certain death, so they played as if they were preying. Nearer My God To Thee was Wallace Hartleys favorite hyme as his father, who owned a Church, played it all the time. He was most likely thinking of his family while playing before he was to die.
I assure you that it's always been played as slow and mournful as that: what else would you expect AUTUMN to be like?=dead leaves, dying nature;
and being one of the "hits" in its time -1st class passengers used to dance to it (!) - ,it was certainly NOT the last tune played by on the Titanic : I really cannot understand that "debate" about whether or not "Nearer My God to Thee" was the last song played: it WAS and "Songe d'automne" was NOT !
This is the last song played by violin band in titanic.
nestineangelo02 1 week ago
Oddly enough, research by George Behe suggests that a fairly inclusive range of largely British hymns as well as patriotic (British) non-hymn songs (this included) were played in the last 30 to 40 minutes or so before the final plunge, therefore, contrary to the common assumption, NMGTT may not have to have been the LAST song played that night. And in my opinion, it also might - just might - suggest that the band could well have played BOTH "Horbury" and "Propior Deo."
But maybe that's just me.
Hirvassalo 3 weeks ago
STUNNING and eerie.
Messylin 2 months ago
WOO! :)
KingdomHeartsFan2100 2 months ago
Nearer My God to Thee is very similar. Extremely similar.
KingdomHeartsFan2100 2 months ago
Just so sorrowful and amazing.
JoslynnJelovich 2 months ago
There is actually a version of NMGTT that sounds a fair bit like songe d'automne when played at the right tempo (I believe it's the version in A Night to Remember, and the version more known in the UK), so there could easily have been confusion between the two amongst survivors who weren't that knowledgeable about the music, and who probably has other things on their minds! Given the sheer amount of mythology surrounding the Titanic, we'll probably never know which it was. Both are beautiful.
freebornjayne 3 months ago
However, Wallace Hartley, in an interview prior in his life, had said both that if he were ever on a sinking ship, he would play Nearer My God To Thee, and he would also like it played at his funeral. While a key witness said Autumn was played (see my other comment), a lot more witnesses, though almost all less credible, said Nearer My God was played.
jkilts 3 months ago
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To further fuel this debate here, here are some points for each contender:
Songe D'Automne was heard by a key witness, who was one of the few people close enough to hear it clearly. However, he never said the full name. He simply said "Autumn", which was interpreted as this piece. This song was also in the book of songs necessary for the orchestra to know, while Nearer My God To Thee was not.
jkilts 3 months ago
Comment removed
washingtoncrossing1 3 months ago
I always get the chills from hearing this particular piece of music.
Rob2hfu 5 months ago
You might also Google "And the Band Played On: Hypotheses Concerning What Music Was Performed Near the Climax of the Titanic Disaster" by J. Marshall Bevil, Ph.D. It's quite fascinating!
terentii 5 months ago
Anyone interested in the topic should Google these:
Snopes, Titanic's last song
The Sound of Music by Walter Lord, from The Night Lives On
Over the years, I've read everything about the Titanic I could get my hands on, but these two articles were real eye-openers for me!
Moral to the story: Don't assume you've heard the last word on any matter!
terentii 5 months ago
I'm pretty sure that this was the last actual song. Nearer My God To Thee was just happy and bright in sounding. This actually sounds dark, melancholic and sad, while Nearer sounds hopeful and inspirational.
UpwardsFallings 6 months ago
@UpwardsFallings Which version have you been listening too...
starpopcorn2 1 month ago
I'm reminded of John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: "Print the legend." The consensus is that Wally&Co. played "Bethany," not "Horbury" or any other tunes. All the films save A Night to Remember agree that it was the American tune, not British, that was played. Wallace Hartley would have known the American tune if he played at Sunday services on his previous trips, since the First-Class on most ocean liners of the day were primarily American plutocrats; "Print the Legend!"
therealjoebloggs 6 months ago
@therealjoebloggs Sounds unlikely given that Sunday services on most or all British ships (and I know of no non-British ship sailed on by Hartley) were run by the Anglican church (therefore "Horbury" would be the default version) and his family has given enough testimony to suggest that he would've chosen "Propior Deo" for his swan song if not pressured to do otherwise.
Eva Hart, who heard NMGTT on that night, heard the same melody in a _British_ church just months later. So there you have it.
Hirvassalo 5 months ago
@therealjoebloggs Actually, "Propior Deo" was the version he was most familiar with as it was his favored version of the song according to his family, and his father played it at his church when he was a child all the time. "Bethany" and "Horbury", although nicer in my opinion, are not as likely.
starpopcorn2 1 month ago
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@Estuddian I miss the old "Pop" music you know! :'(
GrayWolf459 6 months ago
@Ericah81 Bride may have been closer to the scene to hear what song was being played, but so were a lot of other people, including those people in the lifeboats who testified on what they heard, as well, since the sound of the music carried far out over the water on that still night. Since Bride was in the minority of claiming to have heard "Autumn" when a lot more other people,even close to him, claimed to have heard the BRITISH version of NMGTT, Bride could have misinterpreted song titles.
TheGozalus 10 months ago
@TheGozalus
Who are these other people? As far as I know, only Eva Hart and Vera Dick reported Nearer My God to Thee.
Cluedokid25 8 months ago
Nice to finally see you back Ericah81 missed you!!
Canadianguy38 11 months ago
♥ ilove it ! post coments to my videos please ?
Kosorog123Produktion 11 months ago
Magnifique Musique!!!!!!!
I Love You Music the Titanic!!
Merci!!
angelica1912 11 months ago
Actually, there is some debate about whether or not the last song played was this or Nearer my God to Thee.
AlbusPercyDumbledore 11 months ago
@AlbusPercyDumbledore TRUE, but Miss Dick was too far away to hear that song ,but Bride was right there on a up-side-down lifeboat sooo yup.
Ericah81 11 months ago
@Ericah81 There also remians the debate that neither the hymn (Autumn) or Songe d'Autumn were never in the White Star Line song book. But you're right, Bride's account of the incident is the more reliable one since he floated off deck near the final moments of the sinking so it's more likely that he would have known what song that was planning. But in the panic it's truely hard to say who was right and wrong.
JasonHuntington 8 months ago
@Ericah81 There also remians the debate that neither the hymn (Autumn) or Songe d'Automne were never in the White Star Line song book. But you're right, Bride's account of the incident is the more reliable one since he floated off deck near the final moments of the sinking so it's more likely that he would have known what song that was planning. But in the panic it's truely hard to say who was right and wrong.
JasonHuntington 8 months ago
@Ericah81 it was my god to thee,i know because me and my mom died there
GabrielDhalaman 3 months ago
@GabrielDhalaman what are you going on about I get the whole past life thing but do you have proof of seeing this during a meditation
Kiyoko504 1 month ago
@AlbusPercyDumbledore
Or even if either song was played at all.
Cluedokid25 8 months ago
@AlbusPercyDumbledore
further to my post below, "Songe d'automne" WAS the last piece played in the BALLROOM and nowhere else but the BALLROOM, Goddamit ! Rely on me!
augustasche 4 months ago
@AlbusPercyDumbledore
further to my post below, "Songe d'automne" WAS the last piece played in the Titanic BALLROOM and nowhere else but the BALLROOM, Goddamit ! Rely on me!
augustasche 4 months ago
@AlbusPercyDumbledore I am not sure if with all the panic the band could not tell when the finale plunge was going to happen so onestly this song sounds more fit to of been played last not to mention they were told to keep it cheery so why would they play a somber song like nearer my god to thee
Kiyoko504 1 month ago
@Kiyoko504 Because they realized all the boats had left and all the remaining passengers were heading to the back of the ship. They knew they were facing certain death, so they played as if they were preying. Nearer My God To Thee was Wallace Hartleys favorite hyme as his father, who owned a Church, played it all the time. He was most likely thinking of his family while playing before he was to die.
starpopcorn2 1 month ago
I love this song. But it's so damn mournful.
And yes, this IS how slow it's meant to be played. Beautiful but amazingly depressing.
Where do you get all these recordings?
Shangas 11 months ago
@Shangas amazon,titanic.com,and some other place
Ericah81 11 months ago
@Shangas
Songe d'automne = Dream of Autumn
I assure you that it's always been played as slow and mournful as that: what else would you expect AUTUMN to be like?=dead leaves, dying nature;
and being one of the "hits" in its time -1st class passengers used to dance to it (!) - ,it was certainly NOT the last tune played by on the Titanic : I really cannot understand that "debate" about whether or not "Nearer My God to Thee" was the last song played: it WAS and "Songe d'automne" was NOT !
augustasche 4 months ago