Library celebrates love with sheet music

As February turns to thoughts of love, The Hammond Public Library will feature a display of vintage sheet music pertaining to love songs.

"I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad" was written in 1911 by Will Dillon, with music by Harry Von Tilzer. Several websites and the 1880 Indiana census indicate Von Tilzer was born as Aaron Gumbinsky in Michigan. He shortened his name to Harry Gumm, then later used his mother's maiden name, Tilzer, adding a "von" before it.

Von Tilzer became one of the best known Tin Pan Alley songwriters. In 1902 he formed his own publishing company, and was soon joined by his younger brother Albert Von Tilzer, who wrote the lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Harry Von Tilzer's other hits included "A Bird in a Gilded Cage," "Wait 'Til The Sun Shines Nellie," "And The Green Grass Grew All Around," and a pun for Budweiser, "Under the Anheuser Bush."

"Hoosier Sweetheart" was written in 1927 by Joe Goodwin ("Strolling Through The Park One Day," and "When You're Smiling," made popular by Louis Armstrong); Paul Ash (best remembered for his large, semi-symphonic orchestra that frequented the pits of many major movie palaces of the late 1920s and early 1930s) and Billy Baskette (who wrote the music to a popular World War I song, "Goodbye, Broadway; Hello France"). "Hoosier Sweetheart" was performed by several musicians, including Bix Beiderbecke.

"A Precious Little Thing Called Love" has lyrics by Lou Davis and music by J. Fred Coots. Coots is perhaps most famous for "Love Letters in the Sand" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

"Indian Love Call" was made famous by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald in the film, "Rose Marie." It was written by Otto Harbach (who also wrote "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes") and Oscar Hammerstein II. Hammerstein, of course, collaborated with Jerome Kern on the musical, "Show Boat" and with Richard Rodgers on "Oklahoma," "Carousel," "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music."

More contemporary sheet music includes Maurice Jarre's "Lara's Theme" from "Dr. Zhivago;" "Love Story" ("Where Do I Begin") and "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Don Gibson, recorded by Ray Charles.

To reach PastTimes Page coordinator Pat Kincaid, e-mail pkincaid@nwitimes.com or phone (219) 933-3383.