Music by the Decades
- 1900s
On the Road to Mandalay
Words: From "Barrack-Room Ballads" by Rudyard Kipling
Music: Oley Speaks
ⓒ1907 by The John Church Company
Copyright renewal assigned, 1935, to G. Schirmer, Inc.
The "Barrack-Room Ballads" are a series of songs and poems by Rudyard Kipling and contains some of his renowned works, including the poem "Mandalay". This poem became well known after Oley Speaks set it to music in 1907.
Oley Speaks was an American composer and songwriter. His compositions include many religious songs, as well as his best-known success, "On the Road to Mandalay".
This sheet music is definitely not a first edition as it was printed in 1935 and has completely different cover art. However, the cover is interesting and colorful in its depiction of a Burmese Buddha Statue.
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic, Popular
- 1910s
Alexander's Ragtime Band
By Irving Berlin
From the Twentieth Century Fox Film Production
"Alexander's Ragtime Band"
"Alexander's Ragtime Band"
ⓒ1911 by Ted Snyder Co.
This song was first introduced by Emma Carus.
This song was first introduced by Emma Carus.
Copyright assigned to ABC Music Corporation in 1938
Alice Faye introduced this song in 1938.
The film "Alexander's Ragtime Band" takes its name from the 1911 Irving Berlin song. Irving Berlin wrote this song at the age of 23 and it was extremely popular! The Twentieth Century Fox Film Production musical movie was released in 1938. Cast members included a lot of famous stars (at that time) such as Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley, John Carradine, Lon Chaney Jr. and many more. By the way, this film gets a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 80% for those interested in their ratings. Alice Faye sand this song in the movie.
During his long, illustrious career, Irving Berlin wrote more than 1,000 songs that appeared in movies, TV shows, and Broadway musicals. Among all of his accolades, he is known as the King of Tin Pan Alley (a name given to NYC music publishers and songwriters who thrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s.).
The cover illustration was from the original title page ad was drawn in 1911 by John Frew. It looks to feature a view of a band in a bandstand in a park. Frew was a popular cover artist for many songs.
The back cover of this sheet music lists songs published by Irving Berlin between 1907 and 1942. It's an extensive list!
Genres: Musical, Ragtime, Popular, Drama, Tin Pan Alley
