In the Good Old Summertime

______________________________________

In the Good Old Summertime (George Evans, Ren Shields) – published in 1902

Sheilds and Evans were at first unsuccessfully trying to sell their song to one of New York’s big sheet music publishers. The publishers thought the topic of the song doomed it to be forgotten at the end of the summer season. Blanche Ring, who had helped Evans arrange the number’s piano score, was enthusiastic about it and at her urging it was added to the 1902 musical comedy show “The Defender” she was appearing in. The song was a hit from the opening night, with the audience often joining in singing the chorus.^[2]

“In the Good Old Summer Time” was one of the big hits of the era, selling popular sheet music and being recorded by various artists of the day, including John Philip Sousa’s band in 1903. It has remained a standard often revived in the decades since. – excerpt (adapted) from the Wikipedia article on the song

________________

William Redmond — Edison Gold Moulded Cylinder Record, 1902

.

piano roll — date unknown

.

Haydn Quartet – recorded 10 May 1906

.

Nat King Cole

.