I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad (Harry Von Tilzer, 1872-1946)
In Apple Blossom Time (Albert Von Tilzer, 1878-1956)
Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie (Harry Von Tilzer)
Daniel B. Ziesemer, violin
Jacob T. Bernhardt, Piano
Notes by Brieanna Savard
This medley brings together three of the favorite songs written by the Von Tilzer brothers. Both were born to Polish -Jewish immigrants Jacob and Sarah Gumbinsky (née Tilzer) in Indiana; Harry in Goshen; and Albert in Indianapolis. For a brief time Albert worked at Harry's publishing company but soon began his own. Later both brothers settled in the Tin Pan Alley of New York City, independently writing a great deal of popular music including the well-known “Take Me Out to The Ball Game” by Albert. Both brothers were inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of fame in 1970.
A joyful intro from the piano breaks forth gladsomely at the start of the medley, sounding forth the first song, “I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad”, joined by the violin’s boisterous, but more sentimental strains, which mellow out at intervals. Next, the piano plays an intro to “(I’ll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time”, followed by the soul-stirring, dreamy notes of the violin. The strains rise and fall in sweet harmony, trilling out the tune and bringing wistful thoughts to the listener’s heart and tears to the eyes. The second part of the medley is brought to a close with the introduction to “Wait ‘Till the Sun Shines, Nellie”. It, too, is joyful and quick, and has a similar sound. At the end, both violin and piano rise in climax in a resounding finale.
History of Songs
I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad
This lovely, heartfelt song about a young man wanting a marriage like his father and mother have, with a wife who equals the perfection of his mother, was written in 1911 and is the first heard in this medley of three tunes composed by the Von Tizler brothers. It is still popular today, often sung by barbershop quartets. It became the second most popular piece in 1911, right behind Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”. In later years, it was featured in various films and TV shows.
Lyrics by William Dillon:
When I was a boy my mother often said to me
Get married boy and see how happy you will be
I have looked all over, but no girlie can I find,
Who seems to be just like the little girl I have in mind,
I will have to look around until the right one I have found.
Chorus
I want a girl, just like the girl that married dear old Dad,
She was a pearl and the only girl that Daddy ever had,
A good old-fashioned girl with heart so true,
One who loves nobody else but you,
I want a girl, just like the girl that married dear old Dad.
Verse 2
By the old mill stream there sit a couple old and gray,
Though years have rolled away, their hearts are young today.
Mother Dear looks up at Dad with love light in her eye,
He steals a kiss, a fond embrace, while ev'ning breezes sigh,
They're as happy as can be, so that's the kind of love for me.
In Apple Blossom Time
This second tune in the medley sings of a beautiful promise from a young man to his bride-to-be that he will return to marry her in a church in May when the apple trees are blossoming. It has been sung by many famous performers over the years, including Nat King Cole.
Lyrics by Neville Fleeson:
I'm writing you, my dear,
Just to tell you,
In September, you remember
'Neath the old apple tree
You whispered to me
When it blossomed again, you'd be mine.
I've waited until I could claim you,
I hope I've not waited in vain.
For when it's spring in the valley,
I'm coming, my sweetheart, again!
Refrain:
I'll be with you in apple blossom time,
I'll be with you to change your name to mine.
One day in May
I'll come and say:
"Happy the bride the sun shines on today!"
What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple blossom time.
Wait ‘Till the Sun Shines, Nellie (Lyricist Andrew B. Sterling)
Popular in many films, including The Birth of the Blues, in which Bing Crosby and Mary Martin sang it as a duet, the lyrics tell the story of two young sweethearts who could not attend a Sunday picnic because it started raining. The young man has come to his girl’s home to pick her up, but before they can leave, she looks out the window and sees the rain. But he cheers her and helps her be patient and says,
"Wait till the sun shines, Nellie,
When the clouds go drifting by,
We will be happy, Nellie,
Don't you sigh.
Down Lover's Lane we'll wander,
Sweethearts you and I.
Wait till the sun shines, Nellie,
Bye and bye.
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