On the Old Fall River Line
Encyclopedia
On the Old Fall River Line is a song composed in 1913 by William Jerome
(words), Andrew B. Sterling
(words) and Harry Von Tilzer
(music) set on a steamship of the Fall River Line
of steamships between New York and Newport, Rhode Island, which connected with trains from Newport to Boston. Von Tilzer had often traveled the line and was inspired by honeymooners "stirred to romantic depths by the alliance of shadowy darkness, twinkling stars, softly lapping waves and stately moving ships." Popular during World War I, especially among New England soldiers, it was also "much parodied." It is a cheerful, up-tempo ditty, but, typically of its time, "there is a final twist to married bliss with the final chorus line of: 'But I wish "oh Lord" I fell overboard, On the old Fall River Line.'" Described by the New York Times as "a popular song of a quarter century ago" in 1937, its full chorus was used that same year in Time Magazine's article on the passing of the old steamboat line. Although still garnering a place in Billboards 1949 listing of "Harry Von Tilzer's Best Known Songs" as late as 1949 and being described as "a famous verse" by The Christian Science Monitor
in 1950, a dozen years after the last ship had sailed, it is less remembered today, although not completely forgotten. Modern-day performers have included Steve Martin
and Tiny Tim
.
On the old Fall River line
I fell for Susie’s line of talk
And Susie fell for mine
Then we fell in with a parson
And he tied us tight as twine
But I wish ‘oh Lord’
I fell over board
On the old Fall River line
William Jerome
William Jerome was an American songwriter, born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York of Irish immigrant parents, Mary Donnellan and Patrick Flannery...
(words), Andrew B. Sterling
Andrew B. Sterling
Andrew B. Sterling was an American lyricist.Born in New York City, after he graduated from high school, he began writing songs and vaudevilles. An important event was his meeting with the composer Harry Von Tilzer in 1898...
(words) and Harry Von Tilzer
Harry Von Tilzer
Harry Von Tilzer was a very popular United States songwriter.-Biography:Von Tilzer was born in Goshen, Indiana under the name Aaron Gumbinsky which he shortened to Harry Gumm. He ran away and joined a traveling circus at age 14, where he took his new name by adding 'Von' to his mother's maiden...
(music) set on a steamship of the Fall River Line
Fall River Line
The Fall River Line was a combination steamboat and railroad connection between New York City and Boston that operated between 1847 and 1937. It consisted of a railroad journey between Boston and Fall River, Massachusetts, where passengers would then board steamboats for the journey through...
of steamships between New York and Newport, Rhode Island, which connected with trains from Newport to Boston. Von Tilzer had often traveled the line and was inspired by honeymooners "stirred to romantic depths by the alliance of shadowy darkness, twinkling stars, softly lapping waves and stately moving ships." Popular during World War I, especially among New England soldiers, it was also "much parodied." It is a cheerful, up-tempo ditty, but, typically of its time, "there is a final twist to married bliss with the final chorus line of: 'But I wish "oh Lord" I fell overboard, On the old Fall River Line.'" Described by the New York Times as "a popular song of a quarter century ago" in 1937, its full chorus was used that same year in Time Magazine's article on the passing of the old steamboat line. Although still garnering a place in Billboards 1949 listing of "Harry Von Tilzer's Best Known Songs" as late as 1949 and being described as "a famous verse" by The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Monitor is an international newspaper published daily online, Monday to Friday, and weekly in print. It was started in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist. As of 2009, the print circulation was 67,703.The CSM is a newspaper that covers...
in 1950, a dozen years after the last ship had sailed, it is less remembered today, although not completely forgotten. Modern-day performers have included Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
and Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim may refer to:* Tiny Tim , a fictional character from A Christmas Carol* Tiny Tim , American musician known best for his cover of "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" in 1968...
.
Chorus
On the old Fall River lineOn the old Fall River line
I fell for Susie’s line of talk
And Susie fell for mine
Then we fell in with a parson
And he tied us tight as twine
But I wish ‘oh Lord’
I fell over board
On the old Fall River line
Recordings
- Billy MurrayBilly Murray (singer)William Thomas "Billy" Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century...
, recorded 1913-08-06, Victor Talking Machine Co. B 13673. According to the Fall River Historical Society, it was "recorded entirely on location in Fall River, Massachusetts". From January 1914, appeared on US Billboard for three weeks, charting as high as #6. - Arthur CollinsArthur CollinsArthur Francis Collins was an American singer who recorded a significant number of early records. With tenor singer Byron G...
and Byron G. HarlanByron G. HarlanByron G. Harlan was an American singer from Kansas, a comic minstrel singer and balladeer who often recorded with Arthur Collins. The two together were often billed as "Collins & Harlan".-Solo recordings:1899...
, 1913, Columbia A1419 (see Arthur Collins, 1910s discography). From January 1914, appeared on US Billboard for four weeks, charting as high as #5. - The Melody MenKasper "Stranger" MaloneKasper Delmar "Stranger" Malone was an American musician. Malone's career as a recording artist spanned 77 years and, according to his biographer George King, is recognized as the longest by the Guinness Book of World Records...
, on Barber Shop Favourites, Solitaire Manhattan Record SRO-452. - Victor Military Band, recorded 1914-02-05, Victor 35334.
External links
- Sheet music: verses and chorus
- Full lyrics: mudcat.org
- Variant lyrics: Steve Martin bio
- Lyrics with chord progressions: "On the Old Fall River Line" from Sailor Songs, sea shanty lyrics, sea shanties
- On the Old Fall River Line at the Internet Music Database • Quicktime trailer from Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15PMnYEUEW0
- Fall River Historical Society http://www.lizzieborden.org/MuseumShop/AudioVideo.html
- An especially fine capsule description of the song and each of the three songwriters can be found at Parlor Songs Association, Dec 2003 Issue