The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-08
SONGS OF THE HOUR.
THE LATEST AND FRESHEST BAL
LADS NOW SUNG.

History of "Where Did You Get That
HAITI" and How it Came to be Writ
ten Estimated Sales of Recent
Famous Ditties.
Copyright. 1897
NEW YORK, Dec. THE man who per-
petrated that musical atrocity, "Where
Did You Get That Hatp has been discov-
cred. His name is Joe Sullivan. He is an
actor. This is the only thing he ever
wrote. At the present time he is playing
with travelling theatrical company in
distant part of the country, and is recog--
nized as a comedian of no mean ability.
Frank Harding, the New York music pub
Usher, tells the story Of how and where the
author obtained his inspiration.
Tom O'Driscoll the harum-scarum grand
son OF old Murtagh O'Driscoll, of Colby
maui, in the county of Roscommon, Ireland,
was famous for his personal peculiarities
One of these was an aversion to wearing a
''caubeen." 1t was TOMS delight to wander
through the country bareheaded and bare
footed. The fact that he wore no shoes ex-
cited no comment, but his refusal to wear a
hat was matter of distress to his family.
The fact is that Tom did not really need
hat, for he had been provided by nature
with shock of luxuriant red hair. He was
known for miles around as the redheaded
man, and his adornment brought down
upon Tom the anger of his grandfather,
Murtagh.
Just before his death old Murtagh con-
ceived an idea which he was almost certain
would bring his erring grandson TO his
''sivin shmall sinses, "sand a few days after
wards he died.
Tom refused to wear hat, even at the
funeral. On the return of the family from
the churchyard, the will was opened aud read
by Father O'Hoolahan, and, to the surprise
of all, it was found that Tom inherited
everything; including the big stocking of
'goold" that could be found ''bechune the
tick and the boulster in the ould four
posther," on condition that for the re-
mainder of his natural life he should wear
his grandfathers hat on all occasions, in
the open air.
This was regarded as very hard condi-
ton by Tom, but, possessing his share of
good common sense, he accepted the inevi-
table, and presented himself on the follow
ing Sunday at church. wearing old Muir
tagh's hat. His appearance was ludicrous
in the extreme. Having neglected to get
his hair cut, the hat was percned on the top
of his remarkable crop of bushy and fiery
hair, and the roars of laughter with which
he was saluted made Tom almost wish he
had not accepted the onerous condition of
his grandfathers will. From all sides
came jibes and cries of derision, the princi-
pal salutation being: "Mother o. Moses
Where Did You Get That Hatr'
During a recent trip in Ireland, Mr.. Sui
livan heard the story as related above, and,
after a good deal of hard thinking, he pro-
duced the song. the title of which has since
become household word throughout the
country. An excellent, yet simple, piano
arrangement was made for it by William
Lorraine, mere lad of 16. which materially
aided its impetus to popularity By the
way, Lorraine is recognize by musicians
generally as one of the most efficient
arrangers Of comic and sentimental music
in this country. This song is an illustration
of what a single phrase will do in popular
izing ditty. There is of course nothing of
a decided literary merit to commend it. 1t
does not even possess the distinction of a
good rhyme. But it has an original jingle
of melody and an easy arrangement that
goes far in making it a Ego" with the public.
The following is sample verse:
Now, how 1 came to get this hat tits very
strange and funny;
Grandfather died and left to me his property
and money,
And when the will it was read out, they told me
straight and fiat,
If would have his money, l must always wear
his hat.
CHORUS.
Where did you get that hatR Where did you
get that tile?
Isn't it a nobby one, and Just the proper style?
l should like to have one just the same as that,
Where eer go, they shout hello! where did you
get that hat?
This song sprang Immediately into popu-
larity. Two hundred thousand copies Of it
have already been sold, and the demand is
still undated. The credit Of popularizing
ala hry
singers, but Gus Mills, Dockstader's female
impersonator, has undoubtedly done more
to bring it to public attention than any one
professional vocalist Mills makeup in
singing the ditty is very funny. He appears
attired as dusky maiden, wearing Gains
borough hat of enormous proportions,
decked with Jack roses two feet in circum-
ference.
AS is usually the case with all popular
songs, "Where Did You Get That Hat y'
has been paraphrased by numerous bur-
lesques and parodies. The latest of these is
Willie Wild waves "Where Did You Get
That Face 2" the chorus of which is as fol-
lows:
Where did you get that face? where did you
get that mug?
Isn't handsome one? Wen put it in the jug.
/ would like to have one for a six-day race;
When | go out they're sure to shout: Where
did you get that face?
Within the past six months number Of
songs have suddenly sprung into celebrity,
which had, prior to that time, grown dusty
in the obscurity of the publishers shelves.
The chief reason for this desuetude is that
there are very few travelling theatrical
companies on the road during the summer
season, and, as these companies are the chief
factors in the introduction of new songs,
many new favorite ditties had not been
brought to public notice
Among these might be mentioned Null
laly's pretty song, "Mottoes on the WALL"
Klonk's, SONY a Picture;" Mitchelrs,
"Where Can the Wander or Beg and G. A.
Whites tender romanza, Marguerite"
White seems to be the most prolific of
American composers in the sentimental
vein. With the exception, perhaps, of Will
s. Hays, he is also the Oldest native song
writer. Mr.. White is a resident Of Boston,
and they say he has amassed nearly
s5GO,OOO through the sale OF his
songs. He writes both words and
music of all his compositions, and in
this respect he differs from many other
authors One of his earliest successes was
''Put Me In My Little Bed" This was fol-
lowed by Come, Birdie, Come" which
swept like musical tidal wave over the
entire country. One after another of his
songs found their way into popular favor.
In this category are "The Old Turnkey"
ssThe Fisherman and His Child" "When
vita Moonlight 'sWhen the Leaves Begin