The Gift Of Music, The Sylvia English Collection.

On The Old Fall River Line

1913

Music by:Harry Von Tilzer
Lyrics by: Wm. Jerome & Andrew B. Sterling
Cover artist: DeTakacs

Of course coming from Massachusetts, it only seems appropriate that Mrs. English would have some songs that relate to the state where she was raised. Such a song of regional interest is this delightful novelty song from the days when travel was more leisurely and friendships and lasting relationships were often made on the train or in this case, the ferry. The collection Sylvia English amassed included a large number of novelty songs. Of course they are fun to hear and sing and probably reflected her sense of humor. As one of her sister's said, "music was fun!.. It was a real joy to gather around the piano to sing with the family and friends."

This song is a delightful, novelty song by one of early Tin Pan Alley's best composers. The song portrays a trip aboard a ferry to Boston where a young man meets his love and soon they marry. But as with many good natured novelty songs of the times, there is a final twist to married bliss with the final chorus line of: " But I wish "oh Lord" I fell overboard, On the old Fall River Line." With a very upbeat melody and terrific lyrics, this song deserves continued exposure. The Fall River Line operated a fleet of upscale and luxurious ferries that plied the south coast of New England from Fall River to New York and back with connecting rail service to Boston from 1847 to 1937.

Harry Von Tilzer (b. July 8, 1872, Detroit, MI, d. Jan. 10. 1946, New York, NY nee: Harry Gumm.) Harry, one of five children, was to find a career in music as did his younger brother Albert. When still a child, his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where his father acquired a shoe store. A theatrical company gave performances in the loft above the store, and that's where Harry learned to love show business. His career really started in 1886 when, at age 14, he ran away from home and joined the Cole Brothers Circus. By 1887, he was playing piano, composing songs, and acting in a traveling repertory company. He changed his name at that time. His mother's maiden name was Tilzer, and he 'gussied' it up by adding the 'Von'. Thereafter he would be called Harry Von Tilzer, and later his younger brother Albert would adopt the name also. Harry met Lottie Gilson when the burlesque troupe with which he was working reached Chicago. The popular vaudevillian took an interest, and induced him to go to New York. In 1892, Harry, working as a groom on a trainload of horses, arrived in New York, with just $1.65 in his pocket. He rented a room near the Brooklyn Bridge and became a $15.00 per week saloon pianist. He left New York briefly to work in a traveling medicine show, but returned to again work in saloons and later as a vaudevillian in a 'Dutch' act with George Sidney. At this time, Harry was writing songs, literally hundreds of songs that were never published. He would sell them outright to other entertainers for $2.00 each. But the tide was about to turn for Harry. One of his songs was published, My Old New Hampshire Home, lyric by Andrew B. Sterling. William C. Dunn, owner of a small print shop, purchased it outright for $15.00, and issued it in 1898. It was a hit that sold more than 2 million copies. In 1899, three more of Von Tilzer's songs were published: I'd Leave My Happy Home for You, lyric by Will A. Heelan I Wonder If She's Waiting, lyric by Andrew B. Sterling Where The Sweet Magnolias Grow. The success of My Old New Hampshire Home prompted Maurice Shapiro of Shapiro-Bernstein Music Publishers to make Von Tilzer a partner, and the firm was renamed 'Shapiro, Bernstein and Von Tilzer'. Harry then wrote his next big hit in 1900, A Bird In A Gilded Cage (Sibelius scorch format). In 1902, Von Tilzer quit the partnership and formed his own firm 'Harry Von Tilzer Music Company'.

Andrew B. Sterling (b. 1874, New York City, d. 1955, Stamford, CT) is perhaps one of the greatest American popular song writers from the period. His most lasting partnership was with the great Harry Von Tilzer but he wrote numerous songs in collaboration with other composers such as Lange. Lange was a successful song composer for many years and went on to write motion picture scores culminating in his Oscar nominations in 1943 and 1944 for his songs The Woman in the Window and Casanova Brown.

William Jerome (b. 1865, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, NY - d. 1932, New York, NY) One of Tin Pan Alley's and early Broadway's most important lyricists, he collaborated with many of Tin Pan Alley's greatest composers including Walter Donaldson, Andrew B. Sterling, Harry Von Tilzer and Lewis Hirsch. His main collaborator from 1901 too the 20's though was Jean Schwartz. Early in his career, like many of his fellow songwriters, Jerome performed in Vaudeville and Minstrel shows. He formed his own publishing house who's best known publication is George Cohan's great hit war song, Over There. He wrote music for a number of the Ziegfield follies as well as many stage shows including, In Hayti (1909), Piff! Paff! Poof! (1904), and Vera Violetta ( 1911). His most famous songs include Bedelia (MIDI), Chinatown, My Chinatown (MIDI) and Get Out And Get Under The Moon.

Enjoy this wonderful "Boston" novelty song Printable score! (Scorch format)

listen to MIDI version

The Old Maids Ball

1913

Music by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics by: Berlin
Cover artist: E.H. Pfeiffer

Another terrific novelty song from the same year by the "dean of American composers," Irving Berlin is one of many such treasures of song to be found in Sylvia's piano bench. This song, a rather stinging look at unmarried maidens and a fictional ball staged by them is fun and funny, despite the unflattering nature of the lyrics. The song struck me as one of the simpler songs by Berlin I've encountered. Though written at least two years past his break into stardom with the more complex Alexander's Ragtime Band, I thought the song rather harmonically thin and with accompaniment that was almost minimalist. The lyrics are pretty good though and tell a cute story, even if a little uncharitable towards older women. Of course it has that characteristic Berlin sound but is not one of his best, in my humble opinion. As with the Fall River song, this one too has a punch line ending that would no doubt have been fun to bellow out in a family sing along. Sylvia's oldest daughter Wendy reminisced about family musical fun and told us; "Music invited laughter and conversation among our family and guests. Guests were invited to sing along or join in. One time an older Irish guest was asked to dance a jig to my flute playing. I could not keep up with this old man whose legs were faster than a lizard!"

Irving Berlin. Born Isidore Baline in Temun, Russia, in 1888, Berlin moved to New York City with his family in 1893. He published his first work, Marie of Sunny Italy (Scorch format) in 1907 at age 19 and immediately had his first hit on his hands. It was at that time he changed his name to Irving Berlin. His total royalties for this first song amounted to 37 cents. In 1911 the publication of Alexander's Ragtime Band (MIDI) established his reputation as a songwriter. He formed his own music-publishing business in 1919, and in 1921 he became a partner in the construction of the Music Box Theater in New York, staging his own popular revues at the theater for several years. Berlin wrote about 1500 songs. One unique fact about Berlin is that he was not able to read or write music or play the piano except in one key (F sharp). He picked out melodies or dictated them and had assistants fill in the harmonies and accompaniment for him. Berlin never seemed to give credit for these very talented people. In his later years, he had a special device attached to his piano that allowed him to transpose any song into his "favorite" key. His initial start in the music industry was as a singer and then as a lyricist. It was only after great success in writing lyrics that Berlin turned to melodies.

Whether for Broadway musicals or films, for humorous songs or romantic ballads, his compositions are celebrated for their appealing melodies and memorable lyrics. Among the numerous musical comedies and revues for which Berlin wrote music and lyrics were Annie Get Your Gun (1946), and Mr. President (1962). His many popular songs include There's No Business Like Show Business, God Bless America, and White Christmas. In 1968 Berlin received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On September 22nd 1989, at the age of 101, Berlin died in his sleep in New York City.

It is almost impossible to provide a meaningful biographical sketch of Berlin in only a few words, he is perhaps the most celebrated and successful composer of American song from the Tin Pan Alley era. Way back in November of 1998 we did a feature on Berlin's music, which we updated early in 2003. In addition, we have added a more extensive biography of Berlin for those who want to know more about him.

Listen to and see this 1914 song Printable score! (Scorch format)

Rebecca Of Sunny-Brook Farm

1914

Music by: Albert Gumble
Words by: A. Seymour Brown
Cover artist: Starmer

No, this is not a song about Shirley Temple, or the 1938 movie of the same name. It actually is a song title based on a book that was published in 1903 by Kate Douglas Wiggin about a young girl, Rebecca who is sent to live with her two strict, unfeeling aunts, who do not appreciate the young girl's charm and energy. This song never appeared in the Temple version of the film. Long before Temple made the title famous, Mary Pickford starred in the first film titled Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm in 1917. The cast included: Mary Pickford, Eugene O'Brien, Helen Jerome Eddy, Charles Ogle, Marjorie Daw, Mayme Kelso and Jane Wolfe. That film was true to the Wiggin story. This song and the 1938 Temple movie are based only on the title. Neither the lyric of this song, nor the plot of the Temple production follow the original book's plot. However, the Temple film though did include a farm and an aunt. It just seems that the title itself captured the imagination of the public and was used in a number of different contexts.

Regardless of its provenance, this song is one of the most delightful of this month's features. The verse is quite interesting with the melody accompanied by a constantly moving line that adds harmonic complexity to the song. It is the chorus however that really shines. There is a wonderful interchange of melody and lyrics that is classic "teens" Tin Pan Alley style. The style reminds me of classics such as Moonlight Bay (Scorch) or By The Light Of The Silvery Moon. The music is written for solo or a duet and the harmonies are wonderful! I suspect Sylvia and her family sang this one together often. Or, its possible she and her sister(s) sang it in the home. As her sister said;

"Both of Sylvia's parents were very musical...Sylvia and her sister sang duets. They were invited to sing in public at a full Grange Hall event in their home town. Complete with microphone they sang "Mexicali Rose", "O Playmate Come Out And Play With Me" and one other unremembered song."

This song would have been made to order for them!

Albert Gumble (b. 1883 - d.1946) . Gumble not only wrote original music but he also arranged for many of Tin Pan Alley's most prominent composers including; Percy Wenrich, Alfred Bryan, Gus Kahn, Edward Madden, Bud D. Sylva and Jack Yellen. He wrote the music for at least one Broadway musical, Red Pepper in 1922 as well as a number of single hits during the Tin Pan Alley days. Albert Gumble's best known single work work is Bolo Rag (1908) however his credits also include Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm (1914), The Wedding of the Sunshine and the Rose (1915), If You'll Come Back to my Garden of Love (1917), I'll Do it all over Again (1914) and The Chanticleer Rag.

A. Seymour Brown (b. 1885, Philadelphia - d. 1947, Philadelphia) Brown was an actor and lyricist. In addition to his lyrics for the 1914 work, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, his best known work is Oh You Beautiful Doll (Scorch format) (1911). Brown also wrote lyrics for a number of Broadway productions including; Rufus LeMaire's Affairs (1927), Adrienne (1923) and A Pair of Queens (1916). As an actor he starred in a number of productions including the 1907 musical The Grand Mogul. Among his other songs are Gee, But I Like Music With My Meals with Nat D. Ayer.

Hear this old lovely song

Printable score! (Scorch format)

Songs Of Yesterday

1916

Music by: Charles K. Harris
Lyrics by: Harris
Cover artist: E.H. Pfeiffer

One thing that music seems to have a strong link to is nostalgia. A song can bring back images and feelings of the past sometimes so powerfully as to make one relive the event and even the emotions tied to the event. Arguably, no other Tin Pan Alley composer knew how to better pull at the heartstrings and use nostalgia in songs than the man we've dubbed, "The King of The Tearjerkers" (our biography of him), Charles K. Harris. From 1892 to the late 1910's Harris wrote many tear jerkers and emotional songs that virtually defined the genre. By 1916, musical and social tastes had changed but as evidenced by this song, Harris was still trying to hold on to the past and struggling to keep his music alive. This work, with a couple of verses lamenting the state of "modern" music and how we love the "old" songs, leads us into a medley of melodies from some of Harris' most popular songs. In some respects, I was struck by the pathetic nature of the work, almost a swan song for a man living in the past. But, at the same time, I see the attraction. I too lament for times and music where happy memories linger. Even sad memories, for it seems we all like to remember emotional events from the past; a lost love, a happy time, someone we love who is gone that we miss. All of these feelings can be relived through music and Harris was shrewd enough to know that.

The English family, like most of us, enjoyed wonderful times together with music like this. Perhaps this song would bring back memories like those shared with us by her family;

Whenever mom was at the organ, we would inevitably be drawn together from all parts of the house or yard to join in. All five children learned to play at least one instrument while growing up. On holidays, we gathered together and played in groups with mom playing accompaniment.

Charles Kassell Harris was born in 1867 in Poughkipsie, NY and died in NYC in 1930. He lived for many years in Milwaukee and published many of his early songs there. His After The Ball, (Scorch format) published in 1892 is generally considered to be the watershed song that started the popular song industry in earnest as a commercial juggernaught. Though Harris wrote many songs over the years, none ever rose to the level of popularity as After The Ball. See our in-depth biography of Harris for much more information and many musical examples of his work.

Enjoy this classic Harris medley song Printable score! (Scorch format)

We Never Did That Before

1918

Music by: Edward Laska
Lyrics by: Laska
Cover artist: Starmer

The first world war spurred patriotic composers to write and bring us music on a grand scale. Both world wars were times when the musicians of the country united to write patriotic song after song. A few wrote protests. Among the many songs written during the first war were a number of very humorous songs that made the military experience less fearsome and exposed the folly of government and often the military mind. Such songs set the populace at ease and allowed us to assuage many of the fears we had at home worrying about our boys and their fate. This song is one of the best of these war novelty songs I've seen. It has a set of four verses and choruses that are an absolute delight. Musically, Laska has generated a joyful melody and chorus that is so infectious that surely every whistler and hummer on every street could be heard rehashing the song. For more about the incredible music of World War One, see our acclaimed three part series of articles on the subject. Be sure to look over the lyrics, either by viewing the song using the Scorch player or by using the link to the lyrics.

This song, and others like it would have been ideal for a campfire sing along and Sylvia English could well have taught it to her Campfire girls at some point. Her daughter Leslie related;

One of the things I remember about Mom was the way she used to share and teach her music with campfire girls. I also loved it when we sat around a campfire as a family and sang songs, or riding in the car on a long trip, or her playing the organ for her own pleasure or with guests at a party at our house.

Edward Laska ( dates unknown) Laska, a composer and lyricist is probably most famous for his prohibition era hit, The Alcoholic Blues (1919). However he wrote many other songs, several in collaboration with some of Tin Pan Alley's greatest lyricists including several with Jerome Kern. Laska also wrote at least one Broadway musical, We've Got to Have Money, staged in 1923. Among his other works are; The Landlord Blues (1919), How'd You Like to Spoon With Me? (1905) and Do Something (1917)

Listen to this great old comic war song Printable score! (Scorch format)