JOHANNES BRAHMS
[Germany—1833-1897.]
Wagner once said "There are but three B's
In musical circles known,
Beethoven, Bach and Brahms the good
As masters stand alone."
Brahms's mother was a real old maid
Whom his young father wed.
In years full seventeen or more
She well could rank ahead.
But peace and love reigned in this home
And so Johannes grew
Into a gentle kindly lad
Who loved all whom he knew.
When Schumann heard this boy play
In rapture he cried out—
"Behold our new Messiah,
For him the world should shout!"
For many years this good man stood
At Clara Schumann's side
While she was fighting poverty
When her dear husband died.
He helped her rear her children,
With her in concerts played
And loved her with a pure true love
By the immortal made.
And when she died he had no wish
To live his life alone
And welcomed Death to come his way
And claim him as his own.