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Help: The Old Apple Tree - artist wanted

31 Mar 01 - 12:35 PM (#430017)
Subject: Found lyrics need artist
From: nowon77

Found the lyrics to Old Apple Tree (1930s or 1940s) now I need to find out who sang the song. Any suggestions?


31 Mar 01 - 01:07 PM (#430030)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist
From: Allan C.

Yes, first please let us know where you found them. Is this the one whose first line is: "In the shade of the Old Apple Tree..."? Or is it some other?


31 Mar 01 - 01:31 PM (#430051)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist
From: GUEST,Rana

Found (using google) at least 2 songs featuring "Old Apple Tree"

This is In the shade of... (as mentioned above)

In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

Words by Harry H. Williams, music by Egbert Van Alstyne, 1905

Popularized by Henry Burr

Performed by Judy Garland and Chorus for the film, Presenting Lily Mars, but cut from the film, 1943 Audio (only) included on laser disc set: Judy Garland: The Golden Years at M-G-M, 1994

Released on CD: Collectors' Gems from the M-G-M Films, 1996

The other was on

http://www.geocities.com/scattershotbyrb/fantastical/the_old_apple_tree.html, the person stated:

" "The Old Apple Tree" is an American folk song. I really don't know how old. Growing up, I often heard the tune used as background music to cartoons made back in the 1930s and 1940s. My grandmother introduced me to the lyrics, which of course went right over my head".

First verse is:

There's an old apple tree in the orchard,
Lives in my memory,
It reminds me of my Pappy,
He was handsome, young and happy
When he planted that old apple tree.

Rana


31 Mar 01 - 01:51 PM (#430070)
Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE
From: Joe Offer

Click here for sheet music for "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music. Ramblin' Jack Elliott does an interesting parody.
-Joe Offer-
In the Shade Of the Old Apple Tree
(Words by Harry H. Williams and Music by Egbert Van Alstyne, 1905)

Four versions charted in 1905 (Joe Offer Questions this date - did they have charts in 1905?): Henry Burr (# 1); Albert Campbell (# 2); The Haydn Quartet (# 2); and Arthur Pryor's Band (# 9) Re-made to # 13 in 1933 by Duke Ellington
Also recorded by the Ink Spots and many others.


In the shade of the old apple tree
Where the love in your eyes I could see
When the voice that I heard like the song of a bird
Seemed to whisper sweet music to me

I could hear the dull buzz of the bee
In the blossoms as you said to me
"With a heart that is true, I'll be waiting for you"
"In the shade of the old apple tree"

[instrumental passage]

I could hear the dull buzz of the bee
In the blossoms as you said to me
"With a heart that is true, I'll be waiting for you"
"In the shade of the old apple tree"

(copied from Lyrics World)

Click here for "Old Apple Tree" in the Digital Tradition


31 Mar 01 - 02:51 PM (#430097)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: katlaughing

Rana, that second one is one my sister and I sing a lot. I posted as a Song for the Day on this thread It's fun song!

Has anyone looked in the Lester Levy collection for the other one?


31 Mar 01 - 03:27 PM (#430126)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD APPLE TREE (Scholl, Jerome)
From: nowon77

The artist I am looking for is for the song "Old Apple Tree'. I am familiar with "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" though. The lyrics to the song I am looking for goes:

There's an old apple tree in the orchard,
Lives in my memory,
It reminds me of my Pappy,
He was handsome, young, and happy
when he planted that old apple tree.

Apple tree, apple tree,
I remember that old apple tree.
If my Pappy had-a-knowed it,
He be sorry that he growed it,
'Cause he died in that old apple tree.

Oh, one day Pappy took the Widow Norton
Out on a jamboree,
And when he brought her home at sun up
Brother Norton raised his gun up
And chased Pappy up in the tree.

When the neighbors came after my Pappy,
Up in the tree was he,
Oh, they took a rope and strung him
By the neck and then they hung him
To the limb of that old apple tree.

Apple tree, apple tree,
Oh they hung him in the old apple tree.
If my Pappy had-a-knowed it,
He be sorry that he growed it,
'Cause he died in that old apple tree.

Oh my poor Pappy lies in the orchard
Out of his misery.
They put the apples in the basket,
Cut the tree down for a casket,
And my poor Pappy's gone with the tree.

Say goodbye, say goodbye,
Say goodbye to the old apple tree.
If my Pappy had-a-knowed it,
He be sorry that he growed it,
'Cause he died in that old apple tree.


This might be of more help. Thanks again.


31 Mar 01 - 03:47 PM (#430142)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: dick greenhaus

THe name that sticks in my memory for this song (yes, it's in DigiTrad) is Carson Robison. Can't be sure, though.


31 Mar 01 - 04:56 PM (#430183)
Subject: Lyr Add: SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE (J Elliott)^^
From: Joe Offer

SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE
(traditional)

It was only yesterday I thought I'd take a bath in some water
For a bath I hadn't had in goodness knows when;
And for that bath I didn't want to pay a quarter
So I run down to the creek and jumped right in.
I hung my clothes upon an apple tree limb;
"Twas there I got into an awful fix
When an old maid come and set right down beside them
And there she set from one o'clock to six.

In the shade of the old apple tree
I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down
While she was around
Till only my nose you could see.
Moskeeters was biting my nose
And the crawdads was nibblin my toes
I lay there all day
Till she went away
From the shade of the old apple tree

It was only yesterday that Jane and I got hitched
You can bet your life I was a happy groom.
There was only one that filled my heart with sadness
Was parts of her were scattered all over the room.
Her glass eye and false teeth was on the mantle
And on the bed, she hung her lock of hair;
And there was only one that filled my heart with sadness
Was she pitched her wooden leg upon a chair.

And it was a limb from that old apple tree
I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down
While she was around
Till only my nose you could see.
Moskeeters was biting my nose
And the crawdads was nibblin my toes
I lay there all day
Till she went away
From the shade of the old apple tree

Yes, I carved out my name
And there it was plain
On her limb from the old apple tree.

As recorded by Ramblin' Jack Elliott, who identifies it as "traditional" - but it seems to be a parody of the 1905 song "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree."

See DT #651

@parody @marriage @trick
filename[ SHADAPL2
JRO
Apr01 ^^


31 Mar 01 - 06:24 PM (#430238)
Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE ^^
From: Joe Offer

I found out the lyrics I posted above were incomplete. Here are the complete lyrics, transcribed from the 1905 sheet music at the Levy Sheet Music Site.
-Joe Offer-
IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE
(Words by Harry H. Williams and Music by Egbert Van Alstyne, 1905)

The oriole with joy was sweetly singing,
The little brook was babbling its tune;
The village bells at noon were gaily ringing,
The day seemed brighter than a harvest moon.
For there within my arms I gently pressed you,
And blushing red, you slowly turned away;
I can't forget the way I once caressed you,
I only pray we'll meet another day.

CHORUS
In the shade of the old apple tree
Where the love in your eyes I could see,
When the voice that I heard like the song of the bird,
Seemed to whisper sweet music to me;
I could hear the dull buzz of the bee,
In the blossoms as you said to me:
"With a heart that is true,
I'll be waiting for you,
In the shade of the old apple tree.

I've really come a long way from the city
And though my heart is breaking, I'll be brave;
I've brought this bunch of flowers, I think they're pretty,
To place upon a freshly moulded grave.
If you will show me, father, where she's lying
Or if it's far, just point it out to me.
Said he, "She told us all when she was dying,
To bury her beneath the apple tree.
(Repeat Chorus)


@courting @nostalgia @love
filename[ SHADAPL
JRO
Apr01


31 Mar 01 - 06:33 PM (#430244)
Subject: John Wayne fan needed
From: Joe Offer

The lyrics nowon77 posted are just slightly different from those in the Digital Tradition. I found the same lyrics here (click) - maybe that Webmaster knows something about the song? His/her acknowledgement refers to "The Quiet Man" (Republic Pictures, 1952), so I guess it made the movies. Anybody know of a recording? Gee, do ya think John Wayne sang it in the movie?
So, Nowon77, will you volunteer to rent the John Wayne "Quiet Man" movie and see if he sings your version of the song?
-Joe Offer-


31 Mar 01 - 07:42 PM (#430282)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: katlaughing

Hello? Did anyone see the clickie I made? It goes to the song Nowon77 says s/he wants the tune to.

Nowon77, if it is the tune you want to THAT song, I can email you a midi of me singing it or you could come into Paltalk and I could sing it for you. You can leave me a PM with your email or email me.

I hope someome reads this!

kat


31 Mar 01 - 09:16 PM (#430304)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: Stewie

Uncle Dave Macon also recorded a parody of 'In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree' in 1927. Evidently, this same parody was applied to a cajun version 'Under the Old China Tree' recorded by Joe Werner & the Ramblers in the 1930s. Bob Hyland also noted on an Uncle Dave LP sleeve that the song was probably first recorded in parody by Billy Murray on a one-sided Victor disc in the early 1990s.

--Stewie.


31 Mar 01 - 09:21 PM (#430305)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: Stewie

'Early 1900s' - I'm having a hell of a time with dates today. It's already April Fool's Day here in Oz.

--Stewie.


31 Mar 01 - 10:14 PM (#430311)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Kat - Yup, your clicky to the song works fine (and the tune is now in Mudcat MIDIs - [click]); but it was kind of interesting to go off on a tangent and explore the other songs with the same name. The original question was about who recorded the song, which makes me wonder about the source of the song in general. I can't find it in sheet music or in any songbooks.
Was it used in John Wayne's "Quiet Man"?
-Joe Offer-


31 Mar 01 - 10:27 PM (#430316)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: katlaughing

Sorry, Joe, I guess I went off on a tangent, too, just seemed like one of those times when people skipped over and just posted.:-)

I don't know about the Duke and this song. I never saw that movie and actually never cared for him, much, esp. after "True Grit."

Next time I talk to "bet" of email her, I'll ask her, as it is her I learned it from.

kat


31 Mar 01 - 10:46 PM (#430331)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: nowon77

Joe and Kat, I checked on the John Wayne movie. The only connection I could make between the Old Apple Tree and the movie was Carson Robinson as a songwriter. His name was mentioned earlier that he could possibly have been the artist that recorded Old Apple Tree. Where do you get all this information. I am really impressed with all the help and advice I have gotten today! Thanks


31 Mar 01 - 10:54 PM (#430338)
Subject: RE: Help: Found lyrics need artist - Old Apple Tree
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Nowon - the one site (other than Mudcat) that had the lyrics, gave the John Wayne movie as an "acknowledgement," whatever that means. I figured that might mean that the song was in the movie. I haven't been able to find a reliable source of movie song information, unless there is a soundtrack available.
-Joe Offer-


18 Nov 08 - 09:58 AM (#2496692)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST

Friend of a friend whos Dad sang the song,
Would like to learn where could find the music or here that song Old Apple Tree?
Ty Blackard


12 Jan 09 - 10:27 PM (#2538553)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST

If you have a chance to see the movie "Swing Your Lady" which aired recently on TCM, the version of "The Old Apple Tree" where Pappy planted the apple tree, was performed by the Weavery Brothers and Elviry.


12 Jan 09 - 10:36 PM (#2538559)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST

If you go to the Turner Classic Movie website and do a search of their database for "Swing Your Lady" you will see they have some info about the movie and if you look closely they have a link you can click on that will play a trailer of the movie. The trailer has The Weaver Brothers and Elviry singing the song, perhaps not the entire song, but enough for you to get an idea of the melody. I would give a direct link, but sometimes websites frown on giving direct links.


13 Jan 09 - 07:32 PM (#2539221)
Subject: Lyr Ad: In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree
From: Uncle_DaveO

This is a different "Old Apple Tree", as sung by Ramblin' Jack Elliott. The verse is a sort of recitative, and the chorus at least starts out like the classical Old Apple Tree song.

In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree

'Twas only yesterday I thought I'd take a bath in some water
For a bath I hadn't had in goodness knows when
And for that bath I didn't wanna pay a quarter
So I went down to the creek and jumped right in.
I hung my clothes on an apple tree limb
'Twas there I got into-oo an awful fix
'Cause an old maid come up and set right down beside them
And there she stayed from one o'clock till six.

CHO
In the shade of the old apple tree
I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down
While she was around
Till only my nose you could see
Muskeeters was bitin' my no-ose   [Sort of a rising yodel on "nose"]
And crawdads was nibblin' my toes
Yes, I laid there all day
Till she went away
From the shade of the old apple tree.

'Twas only yesterday when me and Jane got hitched
You can bet your life, I was a happy groom
But there was only one thing filled my heart with sadness
When parts of her were scattered all over the room.
Her glass eye and false teeth was on the mantel
And on the bed she hung her hank of hair
But there was only one thing filled my heart with sadness
When she laid her wooden leg upon the chair.

CHO
In the shade of the old apple tree
I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down
While she was around
Till only my nose you could see
Muskeeters was bitin' my no-ose [Sort of a rising yodel on "nose"]
And crawdads was nibblin' my toes
Yes, I laid there all day
Till she went awayyyyy . . .
From the shade of the old apple tree.

Yes, I carved out my name
And there it was, plain
On her limb
From the old apple tree!!

From the singing of Ramblin' Jack Elliott
DRO


13 Jan 09 - 08:41 PM (#2539257)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: ClaireBear

Didn't that second chorus start "It was a limb from..."? That's how my brother sang it, anyway, and he got his version from Ramblin' Jack.

Claire


14 Jan 09 - 10:26 AM (#2539642)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: Uncle_DaveO

My recollection of Ramblin' Jack's rendition is as I posted it.

What's more, making the first line of the second chorus "It was a limb from the old apple tree" would telegraph and spoil the punch line in the last two lines (in the way I've typed them).

Dave Oesterreich


05 Sep 10 - 04:52 PM (#2980576)
Subject: RE: Help: Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST,no one

just heard a speacial on radio about oklahoma camps and how they sang ole music to entertain then they recorded on cardboard and they recorded old apple tree sung by a small child in the 1800 i believe can remember who looking myself   but it is out there ...........they were work camps where they picked apples and peaches for food


29 Mar 11 - 01:39 PM (#3124229)
Subject: RE: Help: The Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST

can you offer anymore information about this recording of old apple tree on cardboard???

Was it "in the shade of the old apple tree"? or was it indeed "Oh, the old apple tree in the orchard, lives in my memory..."


29 May 11 - 11:51 AM (#3162155)
Subject: RE: Help: The Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: GUEST,kathy

Wow! I have been searching for almost 20 yrs for the lyrics to this song. It's been kinda a tradition to pass it down for several generations. But some lines of it have been forgotten. I became excited wen I saw your msg as it is the closest to the way I learned it. Please contact me at burtonbunch88@yahoo.com & I can tell you the slight differences in my version. Thank you soooooo much!


29 May 11 - 12:22 PM (#3162171)
Subject: RE: Help: The Old Apple Tree - artist wanted
From: dick greenhaus

HE OLD APPLE TREE
From the film "Swing Your Lady" (1938)
(M.K. Jerome / Jack Scholl)

Weaver Brothers & Elviry (Film Soundtrack) - 1938
Ozzie Nelson & His Orch. (vocal: Ozzie Nelson) - 1938
Bob Crosby & His Orch. - 1938
Artie Shaw & His Orch. - 1938
A'mt Idy Harper & Coon Creek Girls - 1938
Dorothy Shay - 1947

I think this was a parody of the 1930 hit "There's an Old Spinning Wheel in the Parlor"

THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL

Covered with dust and forgotten Like the face upon the wall There's one souvenir of the days gone by I treasure most of all.

Turn back the years of my childhood As you turn, old spinning wheel Just show me a lane with a barefoot by As shadows softly steal.

CHORUS cho: There's an old spinning wheel in the parlor spinning dreams of the long, long ago Spinning dreams of an old fashioned garden And a maid with her old fashioned beau

Sometimes it seems that I can hear her in the twilight At the organ softly singing "old Black Joe" There's an old spinning wheel in the parlor Spinning dreams of the long, long ago.