It was an ordinary day. Reading about the Christmas song "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas". It was in December of 1865 that a poem titled "Lilly's Secret", written by Emily Huntington Miller, was published in The Little Corporal Magazine. The song's lyrics were attributed to Benjamin Hanby who wrote a similar song in the 1860s titled "Up on the Housetop". As I read on I found that the music for "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" has been attributed to John Piersol McCaskey who was Lancaster's Mayor as well as the Principal at Lancaster Boys High School. Seems that Mr. McCaskey also had claimed to have written the song and lyrics in 1867. So what gives? Was it Mr. Hanby or Mr. McCaskey? Mr. McCaskey was said to have proved his point since the "Johnny" mentioned in the song, who wants a pair of skates, is his late son John who died as a child. The "Susy" who wants a dolly was the niece of McCaskey's longtime secretary, Miss Lizzie McVey and the "Nelly" who wants a story book because "she thinks dolls are folly!" was the wife of Mr. McCaskey's brother, Col. William Spencer McCaskey.
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| John Piersol McCaskey |
Now, some background information might help you understand this entire situation. On May 3, 1938, the new John Piersol McCaskey High School was dedicated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My father graduated mid-1937, so he just missed the chance to be part of a brand new beautiful school. But, who was the man for whom the school was named and who has been proclaimed the author and writer of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" by the Library of Congress who they claim holds the copyright to the song. J.P. McCaskey was born October 9, 1837 and loved music. His mother was his musical inspiration. The family moved to Lancaster in 1849 and John graduated from Boys High School in 1855. Before long he was a teacher at the same school from which he graduated.
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This etching resembles a photograph made
of Mr. McCaskey in 1907 on his 70th birthday. |
He met and fell in love with Miss Ellen Chase, a young teacher who taught in a classroom near his. The love affair didn't last long since she moved to her hometown of Bath, N.Y. to take a teaching job. Wasn't long before John couldn't take it and proposed to her via hand-written letter. They were married in 1860 and two mules pulled their canal boat to Albany, N.Y for a honeymoon. Five years later he was principal of Lancaster Boys High where he stayed until retiring in 1906. He was known as a strict disciplinarian and if a boy misbehaved, he would instruct another student to hit their hand with a ruler. He never felt justified in striking the student himself. Upon graduation every boy got a photograph of Principal McCaskey with the inscription: "The best of men that ever wore earth about him was a patient sufferer, a soft, meek tranquil Spirit, the first true gentleman that ever breathed." He not only taught, but was a lover of music and lectures.
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One of my altered Polaroids taken a few years ago.
This is J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, PA |
He also was the co-editor of the Pennsylvania School Journal from 1866 to 1921. He published several books of songs with "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" being in his 1867 songbook. He was an avid learner and graduated from Franklin & Marshall College as well as being awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the school in 1887. Mr. McCaskey's great grandson, Patrick, once wrote of his great grandfather as saying: "My university has been the book, the newspaper, the play, the concert, the opera, the lecture, the sermon, the church, the world of nature, the world of art, the printing office, the dictionary, the cyclopedia, the poem, the restraining influence of the school and the blessed association of friends."
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| The plaque that is on the wall at St. James Episcopal Chruch. |
I still can remember many times sitting in St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, PA and looking over my shoulder to the left to read the really neat plaque that graced the wall of the church that told of his accomplishments both in the public sector as well as in the church. One of the greatest church accomplishments that he held was being a Vestryman of the church for 68 years. My four years as a Vestryman seem so minor when compared to Mr. McCaskey. Dr. John Piersol McCaskey died September 19, 1937 at the age of 97, just a few months away from the opening of the school that bears his name. And, just in case you may never have heard of the American Christmas song, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, here are the lyrics to the song he composed and wrote the lyrics for:
Jolly old St. Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way.
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say.
Christmas Eve is coming soon.
Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me.
Tell me if you can.
When the clock is striking twelve,
When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black
With your pack you'll creep;
All the stockings you will find
Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one;
You'll be sure to know.
Johnny wants a pair of skates;
Susy wants a dolly
Nellie wants a story book,
She thinks dolls are folly
As for me, my little brain
Isn't very bright;
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus,
What you think is right.
His Christmas song will live on in history as one of the favorites of many children. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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