“Sweet Marie”
Description
The man longs for Marie, but finds it hard to tell her: "Sweet Marie, come to me, Come to me, Sweet Marie, Not because your face is fair, love, to see, Every daisy in the dell Knows my secret very well, Yet I dare not tell Sweet Marie... ."
Notes
I am told that "[This] song was featured in the 1947 movie 'Life with Father' (William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor) based on the memoirs of Clarence Day, Jr... (articles first appeared in _The New Yorker_ in the 1920s and were later published as three books: _God and My Father_, _Life with Father_, _Life with Mother_). Prior to becoming the movie (and later a TV series in the 1950s), 'Life with Father' was written as a play and opened on Broadway in 1939.
"Percy French did a parody of the song with Sweet Marie becoming a racehorse. That song is available in "The Songs of Percy French" selected and edited by James Healy (Ossian Publications/Mercier Press--1986/1996)."
Moore was a nineteenth century singer who apparently was very popular as a performer. Warman apparently came to him and asked him to perform "Sweet Marie," which Warman had written in honor of his wife. Warman eventually came up with a tune and sang it as part of the musical comedy "Africa." Ironically, it was no great success when Moore sang it -- but when he quit the play, his replacement made it a hit. - RBW
Same tune
- Sweet Marie (the Racing Mare) (Meredith/Covell/Brown, p. 229)
Recordings
- Walter Morris, "Sweet Marie" (Columbia 15115-D, 1927)
References
- Meredith/Covell/Brown, pp. 229-230, "Sweet Marie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Geller-Famous, pp. 70-74, "Sweet Marie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #11353
- BI, MCB229