Telegraph (from Greek: tele τηλε "far", and graphein γραφειν "writing") is the long-distance transmission of messages without the physical exchange of an object bearing the message. Thus semaphore is a method of telegraphy whereas pigeon post is not.
Telegraphy requires that the method used for encoding the message be known to both sender and receiver. Such methods are designed according to the limits of a the signalling medium used. The use of smoke signals, beacons, reflected light signals, and flag semaphore signals are early examples. In the 1800s, the harnessing of electricity brought about the means to transmit signals via electrical telegraph. The advent of radio in the early 1900s brought about radiotelegraphy and other forms of wireless telegraphy. In the Internet age, telegraphic means developed greatly in sophistication and ease of use, with natural language interfaces that hide the underlying code, allowing such technologies as electronic mail and instant messaging.
Telegraphs as such have existed in Europe from as early as prior to the Battle of Waterloo, then consisting as semaphores, or optical telegraphs that sent messages to a distant observer through line-of-sight signals. In 1837, American artist-turned inventor Samuel F. B. Morse conducted the first successful experiment with an electrical recording telegraph.
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – April 2, 1872) was an American contributor to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs, co-inventor of the Morse code, and an accomplished painter.
Samuel F.B. Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the first child of the pastor Jedidiah Morse (1761–1826)—who was also a geographer—and Elizabeth Ann Finley Breese (1766–1828). His father was a great preacher of the Calvinist faith and supporter of the American Federalist party. He thought it helped preserve Puritan traditions (strict observance of Sabbath, among other things), and believed in the Federalist support of an alliance with Britain and a strong central government. Morse strongly believed in education within a Federalist framework, alongside the instillation of Calvinist virtues, morals and prayers for his first son.
After attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Samuel Morse went on to Yale College to receive instruction in the subjects of religious philosophy, mathematics and science of horses. While at Yale, he attended lectures on electricity from Benjamin Silliman and Jeremiah Day. He supported himself by painting. In 1810, he graduated from Yale with Phi Beta Kappa honors.
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE (born 12 August 1949) is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977. After Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler went on to record and produce six solo albums, including Golden Heart (1996), Sailing to Philadelphia (2000), and Get Lucky (2009). He has composed and produced film scores for eight films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), and The Princess Bride (1987). In addition to his work with Dire Straits and as a solo artist and composer, Knopfler has recorded and performed with many prominent musical artists, including Phil Lynott, Chet Atkins, The Chieftains, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jools Holland, Sonny Landreth, and Van Morrison. He has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman.
Knopfler is one of the most respected fingerstyle guitarists of the modern rock era, and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million albums to date. A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of the Edison Award and the Steiger Award, and holds three honorary doctorate degrees in music from universities in the United Kingdom.
CHORUS:
I¡¯ve got a telegraph in my hand.
Words on paper, written in sand.
We¡¯ve got telegraph, right across this land.
It doesn¡¯t mean a damn thing.
We don¡¯t understand.
But who needs telegraph anyway?
REPEAT CHORUS
We¡¯ve got telegraph, right across this land.
It doesn¡¯t mean a damn thing.
We don¡¯t understand, we never understand!
God¡¯s got a telegraph nn his side.
It makes Him powerful, gives Him pride.
Even in America, God bless America!
They understand the value of the telegraph.
Hand in hand, hand in hand...
I've got a telegraph in my hand
Words on paper, written in sand
We've got telegraph
(We've got telegraph)
Right 'cross this land
(Across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing
We don't understand
But who needs telegraph anyway?
I've got a telegraph
(I've got a telegraph)
In my hand
(In my hand)
Words on paper
(Words on paper)
Written in sand
(Written in sand)
We've got telegraph
(We've got telegraph)
Right across this land
(Across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing
(It doesn't mean a damn thing)
We don't understand
(We never understand)
God's got a telegraph on His side, on His side
It makes Him powerful, gives Him pride, [Incomprehensible]
Even in America, God bless America
They'll understand
(They'll understand)
The value of the telegraph
(The value of the telegraph)
Hand in hand
Telegraph
Telephone
Tell a friend I'm leavin'
Heard you left
Me alone
But I'm here still breathin'
'Cause she's in me
Tell me where you've gone
Could I meet you later on
Should I Let you be
I guess I'm letting you go
It's hard but it's just like they say
You had to be so
Hard on my heart and my head
But I left our past
On the telegraph
Telephone
Tell a friend I'm grievin'
Lift it up
And tear it down
See what you believe in
'Cause she's in me
Tell me where you've gone
Could I meet you later on
Should I
Let you be (I'm gonna let you)
I guess I'm letting you go
It's hard but it's just like they say
You had to be so
Hard on my heart and my head
But I left our past
On the telegraph
Am I just waistin' time
Trying to lose your mind
How do these things get done
So do you think it's true
When it comes out of you
Aren't we the lucky ones
Telegraph
Telephone
Tell a friend I'm leavin'
Cause she's in me
Tell me where you've gone
Could I meet you later on
Should I
I've got a telegraph
In my hand
Words on paper
Written in sand
We've got telegraph (we've got telegraph)
Right across this land (all across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing
We don't understand
But who needs telegraph anyway?
I've got a telegraph (I've got a telegraph)
In my hand (in my hand)
Words on paper (words on paper)
Written in sand (written in sand)
We've got telegraph (we've got telegraph)
Right across this land (all across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing (it doesn't mean a thing)
We don't understand (we never understand)
God's got telegraph
On his side (on his side)
It makes him powerful
Gives him pride (gives him pride)
Even in America (God bless America)
They understand (they understand)
The value of telegraph (the value of telegraph)