Sweet Adeline

"Sweet Adeline" is a ballad best known as a barbershop standard. It was first published in 1903, with lyrics by Richard H. Gerard to music by Harry Armstrong, from a tune he had written in 1896 at the age of 18. According to a 1928 newspaper story, the lyrics were inspired "by a girl who worked at the music counter of a New York department store."^[1] After failing to find a publisher with the initial title, You're the Flower of My Heart, Sweet Rosalie, according to a story the two decided a new title was in order and were inspired by a poster advertising the farewell tour of opera singer Adelina Patti. It did not become a hit until it was performed in 1904 by the group The Quaker City Four.^[2]

John F. Fitzgerald, grandfather of John F. Kennedy, used it as his theme song for his two successful campaigns for Mayor of Boston.

Sweet Adeline has lent its name to several groups, movies and other songs:

• Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers of barbershop harmony
• "Sweet Adeline", a song by Elliott Smith from his album XO
• Sweet Adeline (film), a 1934 film based on a 1929 broadway musical of the same name

References

1. ^ http://www.morrisonfoundation.org/Richard_H_Gerard.htm
2. ^ http://www.trivia-library.com/a/origins-of-famous-songs-sweet-adeline.htm

External links

• 'Sweet Adeline' Turns 100 Audio feature by NPR, with a cover version by Phish

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