A Collection of Dad's Essay's & Writings - Welcome

Peerce and Nelson Eddy featured a truly remarkable song called simply “A Dream” by Bartlett which seems to have
almost disappeared from public consciousness. This attractive ballad was written by John Carroll Bartlett, a native of
Harmony, Maine. He later toured with violinist Camilla Urso but his reputation rests solely on this exquisite little
concert song.
The late Paul Robeson kept one of those stunning compositions of Sir Charles H. H. Parry alive in concert and on
disc when he rendered "Jerusalem”, one of Parry's most inspired creations. Robeson also offered four ballads in the
1935 film, “Sanders of the River”, based on a story by Edgar Wallace set in Africa which has been sadly neglected. The
music is credited to a composer named Spoliansky.
Some American and British opera stars have been successful with musical comedy, operetta and popular songs,
but for the most part they have not matched the European opera stars like McCormack, Tauber, Wunderlich, Pinza
and others when it comes to lighter fare. Richard Crooks, Jan Peerce and a few other Metropolitan stars were quite
successful in rendering light ballads. One of the most successful though was Gladys Swarthout, whose mezzo soprano
voice lent itself to fine renderings, particularly of Arthur Schwartz's, “Dancing in the Dark” and Vincent Youmans,
"Through The Years."
Prior to the First World War, two Yale students created “The Long, Long Trail” and one of them, Stoddard King,
won a literary prize for the verses. The music was composed by Zo Elliot. When the composer went to Oxford in
England it became very popular with students over there and eventually it was published in Britain and it was sung by
British troops during the First World War. There are also reports that it was a favorite with the Kaiser's troops during
the First World War
The Second World War brought out a vast number of popular ballads. In Britain it was “The White Cliffs of
Dover” and in Germany it was “Lili Marlene”, which Allied soldiers first heard when serving in Africa. Composer
Norberr Schultz, who also wrote operas and other serious works, contributed the music to this ballad. Interestingly
enough, the words go back to 1915 during the First World War when it was written by Hans Leip, a German soldier
with poetic bent. Apparently he had two girl friends, Lili and Marlene.
But perhaps the one outstanding composition from the war years that is completely forgotten because it was
strictly a wartime story is from the film, “Shipyard Sally”. Gracie Fields, the coloratura soprano, was unique in that
she was not noted for her singing of the great coloratura roles such as the “Daughter of the Regiment” but pop songs.
In "Shipyard Sally” she warbled in grand style a selection called "Wish Me Luck". Fields played the role of one of the
many women who worked in the shipyards while the men were at war and her recording of the song was hit parade
material. She also sang a number of novelty pieces but among pop tunes, “Wish Me Luck” was unique in that she
displayed her high coloratura notes in real Lili Pons fashion. In her retirement years, Gracie Fields lived on the Isle of
Capri.
From the days of Britain's Empire building comes poet Rudyard Kipling's, “Road to Mandalay”, set to music by
Ohio-born Oley Speaks, who also gave the world the charming “Sylvia”.
Radio programs were sometimes responsible for bringing songs to the public attention. One such number is
Ernesto Lecuona's, “Siboney” which was featured by Jessica Dragonette in her popular radio show many decades ago.
This lovely song was written in 1929.
With St. Patrick's Day celebrations in many cities around the world, it is certain that Irish ballads are not among
the neglected, but there are a few that could stand more exposure. The late Frank Patterson was responsible for
keeping many of them alive, but for the ultimate is the truly inspired interpretation of “A Soldier's Dream” in an
arrangement by Ludwig van Beethoven. Among the many vocal compositions of the German composer, is a large
collection of Irish, Scottish and Welsh songs which he arranged for George Thomson of Edinburgh who offered
Beethoven a sizable sum. It has been said that the composer only did it for the money, but the marvelous
arrangements show that the composer gave each piece careful attention. “A Soldier's Dream” was one of the
collections which incidentally also included a lovely arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne”.