In the midst of tumult and mixed up with strife

The world renowned great Wagner spent most all his life.

All around his birthplace the day that he was born

Many thousand soldiers lay bleeding, cut and torn

By the fiendish war god, who delights to slay.

And after him came "Pestilence," who bore with her away

The father of young Wagner, and as his mother had

Seven other children no wonder that this lad

Should grow up just like Topsy without a guiding hand,

With no one to direct his steps and no one to command.

Then Fever wracked his body and he was very ill,

But fairies came to comfort, sweet music to instil

Into his wondrous fingers and in his kindly heart,

Although in spite of music in rebel plans he mixed,

And exile to Herr Wagner's name for long years was affixed.

Twice he sailed on Hymen's sea, and I have heard it said

His first wife, Wilhelmina, proposed that he should wed.

With her he knew no happiness in all his married life,

For she was ever brewing the noxious stew of strife.

But when Liszt's lovely daughter, the fair Casima, came,

She filled his home with joy and also brought him fame.

From her sweet inspiration his greatest work was made,

The soul inspiring Parsifal, whose fame will never fade.

Death took him from the arms of his adoring wife.

He passed away so peacefully, but left behind him strife

Concerning the real merit of all he ever wrote.

Some class him with divinities, some put him with the goat;

Some love his mimic thunder and sighing of the breeze,

While others say his music is but a bang and wheeze.