Turn of the Century Songs

Subject: Turn of the Century Songs
From:
Date: 24 Jan 99 - 03:39 PM

Hi!

I'm looking for sheet music for certain popular songs of the 1890-1920 era-- specifically "I Guess I'll Have to Telegraph my Baby, by the legendary (and at that time, quite young) George M. Cohan, 1898; and "I'd Leave my Happy Home for You", by Will A. Heelan and Harry Van Tilzer, 1899. Anybody out there have these? I looked in a printed anthology of Cohan's work, but no joy...

Both these songs deal with the world of show business at the time-- I'd be very interested in other songs of this genre and period....

I'm also interested in finding the tune to a song called "Umbrella Courtship"-- it's listed as the "air" to a couple different 19th-c. parody songs. Interestingly enough, two of these are British music hall songs of the early 19th century, while one is from California in about the 1870's-- they may even be two different songs, but I'm inclined to believe they're the same song/tune. Anybody have any leads?

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas...

All my Best, Simon Spalding

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: Bruce O.
Date: 24 Jan 99 - 04:54 PM

"Umbrella Courtship" (Levy Collection of sheet music, box 193, item #246, Mudcat's Links) was to the tune of "Yankee Volunteer". The tune is in a medley "Trinity Chines", (box 169, #37). There's an English song, "The Magic Crab-Tree", to the tune "Umbrella Courtship" in George Speaight's 'Bawdy Songs of the Early Music Hall', 1975, p. 45, but the song is a rewritten verrsion of "The Crab Tree" of c 1707, given in J. S. Farmer's 'Merry Songs and Ballads', IV, p. 109.

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: Genie
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 12:20 AM

I noticed there were only a couple of entries, but I'd be interested in any additions you folks have to this 'list.'
Genie

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: Metchosin
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 12:34 AM

"I Guess I'll Have to Telegraph my Baby" is at Levy here if you search under Cohan or "telegraph"

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 12:58 AM

Clickies for the songs with some info.

Title: I Guess I'll Have to Telegraph My Baby. Coon Song.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words and Music By George M. Cohan.
Publication: New York: George L. Spaulding, 29 E. 28th St., 1898.

Title: I'd Leave Ma Happy Home For You. The Funniest in Years. The Great "Oo, Oo, Oo" Song.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words by Will A. Heelan. Music by Harry Von Tilzer.
Publication: New York: Shapiro, Bernstein, & Von Tilzer, 45 West 28th St., 1899.

Title: Song Sheet Umbrella Courtship. Comic Song. [words only]
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Air Yankee Volunteer.
Publication: New York: J. Andrews, Publisher, 38 Chatham St., n.d..

~Masato

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:21 AM

Do I have the book for you! It's called Favorite Songs of the Nineties: complete original sheet music for 89 songs. It's edited by Robert A. Fremont, and published by Dover. I bought the book a few years ago (I haven't chekced to see if it's currently available, but I would bet that it is) To learn some songs from the period to sing when I go to nursing homes and health care centers. It's a wonderful book, with the complete sheet music, including a reproduction of the original covers. It's especially recommended for people who are going in to nursing homes, although as the years go by, it becomes less relevant. Someone who was born in 1899 (and would hardly remember the music,) would be 103 now. But, my Mother used to sing these songs, and I remember them because I heard them as a kid. Player pianos had rolls with many songs from this era, too.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:38 AM

It's in print (CLICK HERE), with several books of 1900-30 songs.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 11:58 AM

I just bought a copy on ebay but alas...it is packed away with the rest of my life. You may even find the sheet music there as well. If anyone has a recording of "Only Me", I would appreciate hearing about it. My Nana used to sing it and I actually have a very damaged wax record of her version but too damaged to get the whole thing. I have the sheet music - not much good as I don't read music very well.

Subject: RE: Turn of the Century Songs
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 01:16 PM

Song Hits from the Turn of the Century: Complete Original Sheet Music for 25 Songs may be a good book for such songs. "I Guess I'll Have to Telegraph My Baby" and "I'd Leave Ma Happy Home For You" are in it.

~Masato