New-York tribune., 1901-10-20
SONGS OF THE DAY.
AN INCREASING POPULAR DEMAND FOR
EASY DITTIES-SOME SLUSHY
EXAMPLES

The demand for songs with verse that is
easy to keep in mind and tune that is catchy, has
almost become a mania with the New-York popu-
lace There a time when two or three new
songs at the beginning of summer lasted until the
following spring. when another crop was expected.
Last summer there at least a dozen songs
which were sung everywhere and by everybody,
but they are now back numbers. and the public Is
clamoring for something for the winter.
What is the latest song?' is the demand which
music store clerks hear many times day.
"It is hard to say is the usual reply, there
many that are new. We have catchy pieces
from all Of the operas that are running. and one
good things that the stage doesn't know
about. But as TO the very latest-well, take your
choice.'
The public will keep asking the question every
week until Christmas. and then 1t will not be salts
fed. Dealers say that song does not sell after 1t
has been the market six months. The people
who buy music have learned it by that time, and
the "borrowers'-of whom there is a tremendous
number-and those who pick UP new tunes by ear
never cause the sale TO continue.
Judging from the amount of sheet music sold
early In the summer, New-Yorkers did more singing
during the vacation period than ever before. They
certainly had longer list of popular music from
which to choose. If it is possible for to name
the songs which were most sung. first honors must
be divided between the sentimental "Goodby.
Dolly Gray" and the punning song about the East
Side grocery keepers daughter Sweet Annie
alike in places, much so. In fact that some
people get sadly mixed
AS is usual with sentimental ballads. Dolly
Gray starts Off with lover. He hears the call
TO arms and the marching of troops and goes 10
fight for his country. In the second stanza the
regiment comes home. but Dolly Gray's soldier
fails to answer to rollcall. He has fallen with
his face toward the foe." OF course. The chorus
this way:
Goodby. Dolly; must leave you.
Something tells me needed
At the front to fight the foe.
See. the boys in blue are marching.
And can no longer stay;
Hark! hear the bugle calling.
Goodby, Dolly Gray!
There is hardly boy girl in the city who
does not know at least the chorus Of Sweet Annie
Moore 1t is especially popular in the tenement
house districts. where the children 1t a
marching song. Anuies father Owen Moore
who kept grocery store some corner or other.
Owen Moore was in trouble. for he owed more
than he could pay He willing to owe more.
but his creditors would not let him, so. owing
this, he had to away When he had gone.
the boys did not miss sister Fanny. but sighed
for Sweet Annie" This is the chorus:
Annie Moore sweet Annie Moore
We will see sweet Annie any more.
She went away. one summers day
And we'll never see sweet Annie any more
Coon songs are not so popular as they were
few years ago. yet there is something about the
negro melody and slangy words which appeals to
lovers of popular songs and several were sung
during the summer. The one which was most
generally known was Go Way Back and Sit
Down" II the story OF coon who liked
his gin. but never had the money TO pay for It, He
bothered the customers OF certain saloon. and at
the end OF the first stanza the saloonkeeper tells
him 10 ''go way back and sit down" Later the
man of color goes to the races and wins 100 to