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Tune Talk

This page is for discussion of American folk, classical and popular songs.

Here you can ask a question or make a comment about a favorite song or songwriter.

All the information listed below was researched and written by Roger Hall, The Tune Man.

If you would like to request information about a tune or have a memory to share about a favorite song, mention this web page and send your message to:

Tune Talk

What are your favorite songs from the 1950s?

Take a look at these links:

Pop Song Anniversaries

Remembering 1956

Remembering 1957

You can join with FREE membership at

The Tune Lovers Society

Also you are invited to take part in

National Carry A Tune Week

For a list of tune collections and CDs you can purchase, click on this link:

Music Titles from PineTree Press

Contents

Songwriter and Singer Anniversaries
Talking Tunes
- Two American Patriotic Songs: "Adams and Liberty" and "Hail! Columbia!" (1798)
- Shaker Song: "Simple Gifts" (1848)
- Classical Song: "Goin' Home" (1922)
- Popular Song: "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (1937)
Tune Man Talks

Bookshelf Search

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Please help support this site by ordering books, CDs, or DVDs at Amazon.com.

Use the handy Search here:

Reference Guides:

A Guide to Film Music: Songs amd Score (2nd updated edition, 2002)

A Guide to George Gershwin (2nd updated edition, 2004)

A Guide to Shaker Music (6th edition, 2006)

Remembering Radio: Great Songwriters and Singers(2nd updated edition, 2005)

Historical Recordings:

America in Song, Vol. I: American Revolution to World War I (1768-1918)

America in Song, Vol. II: Civil War to Cold War (1861-1961)

American Choral Sampler

Early American Songster - From Psalm Tunes to Patriotic Odes

Anniversaries of Songwriters and Singers

Centennial Anniversaries for 2005:

"Blues in the Night" - Harold Arlen (born: 15 February 1905)
"High Noon" - Tex Ritter (born: 12 January 1905)
"Small World" - Jule Styne (born: 31 December 1905)
"San Antonio Rose" - Bob Wills (born: 6 March 1905)

Centennial Anniversaries for 2004:

"Tangerine" - Jimmy Dorsey (born: February 29, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania)
"Moonlight Serenade" - Glenn Miller (born: March 1, Clarinda, Iowa)
"Ain't Misbehavin" - Fats Waller (born: May 21, New York, NY )

Centennial Anniversaries for 2003:

"The Great Speckled Bird" - Roy Acuff (born: September 15, Maynardsville, Tennessee)
"Oh, What It Seemed To Be"- Frankie Carle (born: March 25, Providence, Rhode Island)
"Where the Blue of the Night" - Bing Crosby (born: May 3, Tacoma, Washington)
"Autumn in New York" - Vernon Duke (born: October 10, Parafianovo, Russia)
"In the Mood" - Joe Garland (born: Norfolk, Virginia)
"Buttons and Bows" - Bob Hope (born: May 29, Eltham, England)
"I Can Dream, Can't I" - Irving Kahal (born: Houtzdale, Pennsylvania)
"The Very Thought of You" - Ray Noble (born: Brighton, England)

Centennial Anniversaries for 2002:

"I'll Be Seeing You" - Sammy Fain (born: June 17)
"You'll Never Walk Alone" - Richard Rodgers (born: June 28)
"Till There Was You" - Meredith Willson (born: May 28)

Centennial Anniversaries for 2001:

"The Waltz You Saved For Me" - Wayne King (born: February 16)
"Thanks for the Memory" - Ralph Rainger (born: October 7)
"I'm Just A Vagabond Lover" - Rudy Vallee (born: July 28)

Centennial Anniversaries for 2000:

"Star Dust" - Mitchell Parrish
"Stella By Starlight" - Victor Young

Anniversaries for 1999:

"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" - Fred Astaire
"Georgia On My Mind" - Hoagy Carmicheal
"Moon River" - Johnny Mercer (90th)
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" - Thomas A. Dorsey
"Mood Indigo" - Duke Ellington
"The Last Round Up" - Billy Hill
"It's Only a Paper Moon" - Billy Rose

To read about any of the above names, go to:

CD Reviews - click on this link to read reviews for...

The Bell Sisters - The "Bermuda" Girls (2 CDs)
Frank Sinatra in Hollywood (1940-1964) (6 CD set)
Here I Am - Songs by Ed Greenebaum - Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston
Nobody Does It Like Me - A Tribute to Dorothy Fields - Morag McLaren
She Haunts My Dreams - John Enright
Sing! Went the Strings Of My Heart - Loretta Cormier
Under A Blanket Of Blue - Loretta Cormierr
What a Classic - Andrea Bates
Windflowers - The Songs of Jerome Moross - Various Singers
written in the stars - The Bill Charlap Trio

Talking Tunes

Two Early American Patriotic Songs

By Roger Hall

[1] Song: "Adams and Liberty"(1798)

Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought,

For those rights which unstain'd from your Sires had descended,

May you long take the blessings your valour has bought,

And your sons reap the soil, which your fathers defended.

These are the opening four lines of what was called: "Adams and Liberty" (or The Boston Patriotic Song).

The song was written in honor of the second U.S. President, John Adams, who served from 1797 to 1801.

The words are by Thomas Robert Treat Paine and the song published in 1798.

The tune used for the new words is the well-known English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heav'n" (ca. 1779), which later became the basis for "The Star Spangled Banner," which wasn't adopted as the U. S. National Anthem until 1931.

"Adams and Liberty" was the first known use of the English drinking tune in an American patriotic song.

This song is available on the CD-R:

America in Song, Vol. I: From the American Revolution to World War I

[2] Tune: "Hail! Columbia! (1798)

Hail! Columbia happy Land!,

Hail! ye Heroes heav'n born band,

Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,

and when the storm of war was gone,

enjoy'd the peace your valor won:

let Independecne be our boast,

ever minded what it cost,

ever grateful for the prize,

let its Altar reach the Skies.

This famous Federalist song had words written in 1798 by Joseph Hopkinson (son of Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence).

The tune was written by Philip Phile (ca. 1734-1793) about the time of George Washington's Inauguration as First U.S. President in 1789 [see Music from Stoughton ].

The song by Hopkinson was first sung by English-born actor and singer, Gilbert Fox, on April 25, 1798.

In attendance at that performance was the First Lady, Mrs. John (Abigail) Adams.

Abigail Adams wrote the following witty account of the first performance of "Hail, Columbia":

The first audience was electrified; repeated encores were demanded from Mr. Fox...the last time, the whole Audience broke forth in the Chorus whilst the thunder from their Hands was incessant, and at the close they rose, gave 3 Huzzas, that you might have heard a mile -- my head aches in consequence of it.

The song proved to be popular for years afterward and was one of the patriotic songs considered before "The Star Spangled Banner" was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1931.

An interesting connection is made to a Shaker ballad hymn from 1810, based on "The President's March" tune.

This ballad hymn is titled "Rights of Conscience" was written by Issachar Bates, who had been a fifer during the American Revolution and had played "The President's March" on his fife.

Bates joined the Shakers in 1801 and wrote many fine tunes, including the wonderful three part hymn, "Ode to Contentment."

His life is told in this monograph:

Come Life, Shaker Life: The Life and Music of Elder Issachar Bates

Shaker Song: "Simple Gifts" (1848)

By Roger Hall

Original Song Lyrics:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

'Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Who wrote the song?

Both music and lyrics were written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr (1797-1882) -- portrait shown above.

Elder Joseph wrote "Simple Gifts" at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine in 1848.

The Shakers called it a "quick dance" song.

This song is often incorrectly identified as a "traditional Shaker hymn" or a "work song."

It's a common mistake that songbook publishers have made, such as in

Get America Singing...Again! - A Project of the Music Educators National Conference (1996).

Most Shaker hymns had two or more stanzas, while their songs had only one stanza.

"Simple Gifts" has only one stanza and is thus a song and not a hymn.

Also, the words give dance instructions: "To turn, turn will be our delight, 'till by turning, turning, we come round right."

So it should be correctly identified as -- a Shaker dance song composed by Elder Joseph Brackett.

You can participate in Elder Joseph's birthday and play or sing "Simple Gifts."

To read all about Joseph Brackett Day on May 6, click on this link:

American Shaker Music

More information about the Shaker dance song is found here:

Simple Gifts

The Shakers, or The United Society of Believers

They began in and around Manchester, England in the mid-18th century. Their first important religious leader was a charismatic woman, Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784). She and eight of her followers landed in New York City on August 6, 1774.

Today the few remaining Shakers live in the last Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.

This is the same community where Elder Joseph Brackett died in 1882. His portrait still hangs in the music room of their home.

Also in that room is a portrait of Sister Mildred Barker, the greatest modern day Shaker singer. She was born February 3, 1897, in Providence, Rhode Island. She died at Sabbathday Lake, Maine on January 25, 1990. A photo of Sister Mildred meeting composer Aaron Copland is below on this page.

For a memorial tribute to Sister Mildred, go to:

Shaker Music

Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers

By Roger Hall

It just so happened that two of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers and composer Aaron Copland were in Cleveland, Ohio during the same week in 1974.

After much hectic scheduling, I was able to introduce Copland to Sister Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr. This was the first and only time that Copland met the Shaker sisters.

He signed a page from an arrangement of "Simple Gifts" for them -- this autographed score is included in the eBook:

The Story of Simple Gifts

To see a photo Aaron Copland meeting a Shaker sister for the first time, click on this link:

American Music Prerservation

Ballet Score Arrangement

In 1944, the Shaker tune was used by Aaron Copland in his landmark ballet score, Appalachian Spring.

In the score, the "Simple Gifts" tune was first played by a solo clarinet and then there were a series of 5 variations on the tune.

Copland used the Shaker tune again in his wonderful vocal settings of Old American Songs in 1950.

More about Copland and the Shaker tune is available at:

Past American Composers

"Lord of the Dance"

There is another well-known song based on the "Simple Gifts" tune.

The title is: "Lord of the Dance."

This song was written by English poet and songwriter, Sydney Carter, in 1963.

Contrary to what has been spread around, "Lord of the Dance" is not a Celtic folk song. Nor was it written by Ronan Hardiman, who composed the score for the glitzy showbiz dance extravaganza, starring Michael Flatley.

Sydney Carter wrote the song. Give the man his due!

For more information on Carter and the lyrics to "Lord of the Dance," go to his music publisher, Stainer & Bell at:

http://www.stainer.co.uk/loth.html

REMEMBER...

Next time someone says that "Simple Gifts" or "Lord of the Dance" are anonymous folk songs, say they are wrong!

Tell them who wrote these wonderful songs!

Sources for "Simple Gifts"(original Shaker versions):

Joy of Angels: Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and the New Year (Sampler Records Ltd. CD and Tape No. 9528)

Various soloists, Eastman Bach Children's Chorus, The Sampler Chorus - 38 Shaker spirituals, including "Tis the gift to be simple" (No. 8, p. 11). 74 page companion book, Compiled by Mitzie Collins and Colleen Liggett; Introduction and Notes by Roger Hall. Includes "Aaron Copland's Simple Gifts" with first recordings of his arrangements.

To order Joy of Angels music book and CD go to: Recordings of Shaker Music

Love is Little: A Sampling of Shaker Spirituals (Sampler Records Ltd. CD and Tape No. 9222)

Various soloists and The Sampler Chorus - 36 Shaker spirituals, including "Simple Gifts" (No. 26, p. 22). 50 page companion book, Compiled by Roger Hall - with all the music plus extensive notes.

To order Love is Little music book, CD or tape, go to: Recordings of Shaker Music

A Guide to Shaker Music - With Music Supplement (PineTree Press, 6th edition, 2006)

Much information about "Simple Gifts," including arrangements and recordings of the song. This resource guide is to assist those looking for more information about this simple and beautiful religious folk music. It includes 15 Shaker spirituals in the Music Supplement, included an accompanying CD.

To order, go to: Music Titles from PineTree Press

The Story of 'Simple Gifts' (PineTree Press, 2006)

This eBook includes the background on the song and on Elder Joseph Brackett; the words and music to the song; an exclusive interview with composer Aaron Copland; information on "Lord of the Dance," an extensive bibliography and list of recommended recordings, and audio files.

To order, go to: American Music Preservation

Classical Song: "Goin' Home" (1922)

Goin' home, goin' home, I'm a goin' home,

Quiet-like, some still day, I'm jes' goin' home....

These are the opening two lines of the famous song based on Antonin Dvorak's famous "Largo" theme from his New World Symphony, Op. 95 (1893). But Dvorak didn't have anything to do with writing this song.

It was actually written by one of his pupils, Williams Arms Fisher, who adapted the Dvorak theme and added his own words. This is part of what Fisher wrote in the published sheet music of his song, "Goin' Home":

The Largo, with its haunting English horn solo, is the outpouring of Dvorak's own home-longing, with something of the loneliness of far-off prairie horizons, the faint memory of the red-man's bygone days, and a sense of the tragedy of the black-man as it sings in his "spirituals." Deeper still it is a moving expression of that nostalgia of the soul all human beings feel. That the lyric opening theme of the Largo should spontaneously suggest the words 'Goin' home, goin' home" is natural enough, and that the lines that follow the melody should take the form of a negro spiritual accords with the genesis of the symphony.

- William Arms Fisher, Boston, July 21, 1922.

Recommended Recordings:

The magnificent Afro-American singer, Paul Robeson (1898-1976). made the most expressive recording of "Goin' Home" in a famous Carnegie Hall concert in 1958.

Originally released on 2-LPs in 1974, the concert is now available on CD:

Live at Carnegie Hall 5/9/58 (Vanguard No. 72020)

There is a fascinating article by Irwin Silber about Paul Robeson in Vol. 42, No. 4 (Spring 1998) of Sing Out! magazine.

Popular Song: "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (1937)

Listen Up, Gershwin Song Lovers!

1998 was the centennial of George Gershwin's birth. He was born on September 26, 1898.

To celebrate that centennial, a handy reference booklet was published titled, A Guide to George Gershwin.

A second expanded edition of this guide was published in 2004.

Also available is a CDR or tape titled:

"George Gershwin Birthday Tributes on Radio"

To order your copy of A Guide to George Gershwin, go to:

Music Titles from PineTree Press

Who wrote the song?

The music for "They Can't Take That Away From Me" was by George Gershwin, the lyrics by his brother, Ira. They wrote the song for the seventh of the great Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers RKO film musicals, Shall We Dance (1937).

This is the only song by the Gershwin brothers to be nominated for an Academy Award as Best Song. But they didn't get the award. It was awarded instead to Harry Owens for "Sweet Leilani," as sung by Bing Crosby in Waikiki Wedding. Oscar Levant, who was a friend of the Gershwins, made this famous venomous remark:

"I'd like to say something about the composer of 'Sweet Leilani,' Harry Owens: His music is dead...but he lives on forever!"

This great Gershwin song was used a second time when the Astaire-Rogers dance team were re-united in the M-G-M musical, The Barkleys of Broadway (1949).

For more information about this and other movie songs, order your copy of A Guide to George Gershwin.

Gershwin's "Musical Tricks"

"Gershwin told Kay Swift that it was very important to him to have some kind of lift or change at the end of the song, some kind o musical trick that nnonetheless seems natural or inevitable - like his quotation of a snatch of Stephen Foster's 'Swanee River' near the very end of 'Swanee.'...Ira often tried to match this lift with his lyrics, as in 'They Can't Take That Away From Me,' in which he lists all the mundance things about the beloved's personality that are endearing before inserting the penultimate line, 'The way you changed my life.' It's the same sort of idea."

--From Michael Feinstein's excellent autobiography: Nice Work If You Can Get It - My Life in Rhythm and Rhyme.

How was the song used in the film?

Both George and Ira were reportedly disappointed at how the song was used so briefly in the film, even though sung with much sincerity by Fred Astaire. I think that scene is one of the great moments in the film - just look at the gazed expression on Ginger's face as Fred sings to her! The song was also heard in the ballet finale, where "the film makes a catastrophic error: it brings on Harriet Hoctor to dance the reprise with Astaire."

--From Arlene Croce's survey of their Hollywood musicals: The Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers Book.

Recommended Recordings of "They Can't Take Away From Me"

George and Ira Gershwin in Hollywood

Two CD set of motion picture soundtrack recordings from 1930's to the 1950's. Produced by Michael Feinstein, George Feltenstein and Bradley Flanagan. Fred Astaire's singing of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is an alternate version not used in Shall We Dance. Rhino 2-CD set, No. R2 72732, 1997. Highly recommended for any Gershwin collection.

Gershwin: Remembrance and Discovery

Includes a piano version of the song taken directly from the film soundtrack of Shall We Dance. Wonderful collection of 20 piano selections, some first-time recordings. Richard Glazier, piano. CD No. CRC 2271, Centaur Records, 8867 Highland Rd., Suite 206, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

See Richard Glazier's web site - http://www.indy.net/~rglazier

I Got Rhythm: The Music of George Gershwin

A Smithsonian Collection in Four Volumes:

CD1 - Gershwin and the Popular Song

CD2 - Gershwin on Stage and Screen

CD3 - Gershwin in the Concert Hall

CD4 - Gershwin and Jazz

Fred Astaire sings the song on CD 2 in the version used in The Barkleys of Broadway. Comprehensive collection of Gershwin's music, many tracks with him performing.

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Produced by Hank Cicalo. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" sensitively sung by Michael Feinstein, based on the 1948 arrangement by Conrad Salinger, reconstructed by Christopher Palmer and Jeff Atmajian. Includes 15 other songs, with rare ones like "Ask Me Again," "Anything for You," and "Luckiest Man in the World." Atlantic CD 82833-2. A wonderful recording.

'Swonderful - The Gershwin Songbook

16 tracks featuring such singers as Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Fred Astaire, Bing Corsby and others. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is sung in her inimitable style by Billie Holiday. Polygram Records CD No. 13928.

Tony Bennett - Steppin' Out

His terrific Grammy Award winning CD tribute to Fred Astaire. Bennett has a real love and understanding of this material. He is accompanied by the marvelous Ralph Sharon Trio. Sony CD No. CK-57424.

Tune Man Talks
Roger Hall, known as The Tune Man, is a respected music preservationist and singer who has presented entertaining and educational programs for over thirty years.

He is the Founder and President of PINETREE PRODUCTIONS.

His topics include songwriters like Stephen Foster, George Gershwin; movie songs and themes; vintage American songs; and Shaker music.

The music programs have been presented in Boston, Cleveland, New York and other cities and towns.

Ask about scheduling an enjoyable program for your group or company.

To see a list of his programs, click on this link:

Music Lectures and Workshops

No original material (including photos) from this site may be used for publication without permission.

For permission, write to: Tune Lovers Web Pages

Home Music Titles from PineTree Press Tune Lovers Society Carry A Tune Week

Tune Man Talks Roger Hall, known as The Tune Man, is a respected music preservationist and singer who has presented entertaining and educational programs for over thirty years.

Tune Man Talks
Roger Hall, known as The Tune Man, is a respected music preservationist and singer who has presented entertaining and educational programs for over thirty years.