Waiting For The Robert E. Lee
written by lewis f. muir / lyrics by l. wolfe gilbert
WAITING FOR THE ROBERT E. LEE
WAITING FOR THE ROBERT E. LEE (SONG CAR-TUNES) 1927
WAITING FOR THE ROBERT E. LEE (SONG CAR-TUNES) 1927
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Waiting For The Robert E. Lee is a popular song written in 1912 by composer and ragtime pianist Lewis F. Muir with Tin Pan Alley lyricist L. Wolfe Gilbert. The song is not about the controversial Confederate soldier and general, but rather it is about the steamboat that was named after him. In it's day, that steamboat was famous for racing, and for beating the previous speed record holder. In 1882, the steamboat caught fire, the boat and 21 people were lost on that tragic day. The popular song has been recorded by many over the past century. The song's original 1912 recording by Billy Murray's supergroup The Heidelberg Quintette was a #1 hit. In 1927 the song was famously performed by Al Jolsen in the ground-breaking film The Jazz Singer. Also in 1927, the song was used for Max Fleischer's final installment of his Song Car-Tunes series. In 1980, the song was performed by Neil Diamond in the remake of The Jazz Singer - a film directed by Max Fleischer's son Richard Fleischer.
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1912
HEIDELBERG QUINTETTE featuring BILLY MURRAY |
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1912
COLLINS & HARLAN |
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1912
THE TWO BOBS |
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1912
GUIDO DIERO |
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1913
VICTOR MILITARY BAND |
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19??
EDDIE CANTOR |
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19??
DOLLY CONNOLLY |
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19??
LOUIS JORDAN |
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19??
WURLITZER CAROUSEL ORGAN |
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1939
FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER RODGERS from the film THE STORY OF VERNON AND IRENE CASTLE |
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1941
THE DIXIAIRS (SOUNDIE) |
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1941
JUDY GARLAND from the film BABES ON BROADWAY |
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19??
LOUIS PRIMA WITH LOU SINEAUX |
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19??
FREDERICK HODGES |
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19??
KATHY KIRBY |
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19??
GUY LOMBARDO AND HIS RIYAL CANADIANS |
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1946
IRVING KAUFMAN |
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1947
AL JOLSEN |
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1953
BEN LIGHT |
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1954
DEAN MARTIN |
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1958
RUSS CONWAY |
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1959
JULIE LONDON |
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19??
AL HIRT introduces SCOTTY PLUMMER |
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1963
LUCIE ARNEZ, WAYNE NEWTON & LUCILLE BALL |
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1964
WAYNE NEWTON |
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1966
CLAUDE BOLLING |
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1967
BING CROSBY AND DEAN MARTIN |
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19??
LANNY PARKS AS AL JOLSON |
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1975
BOBBY & CISSY CAKE WALK DANCE from LAWRENCE WELK SHOW |
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1977
BERNADETTE PETERS from the film THEY MADE IT WITH MUSIC |
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19??
INTRO TO SHOW |
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19??
NEIL DIAMOND from the film THE JAZZ SINGER |
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19??
DIXIELAND BAND |
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20??
TYLER JACKSON |
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20??
ALLEN DALE |
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WAITING FOR THE ROBERT E. LEE
Way down on the levee in old Alabamy,
There's daddy and mammy--there's Efran and Sammy.
On a moonlight night you can find them all.
While they are waiting, the banjos are syncopating.
What's that they're saying? Oh, they're all a-praying
While they keep playing I'm humming and swaying.
It's the good ship Robert E. Lee that's come to carry the cotton away.
Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
Did you say the levee?
Yes, join that shuffling throng.
Hear that music and song.
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.
The whistles am blowing--the smokestacks are showing.
The ropes they are throwing. Excuse me--I'm going!
To the place where all is harmonious.
Even the preacher--he is the dancing teacher.
Have you been down there? Never was around there.
If you ever go there, you'll never leave there.
Why, doggone, here comes my baby on the good old Robert E. Lee.
Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
I said the levee.
Join the shuffling throng.
Hear the music and song.
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.
Way down on the levee in old Alabamy,
There's daddy and mammy--there's Efran and Sammy.
On a moonlight night you can find them all.
While they are waiting, the banjos are syncopating.
What's that they're saying? Oh, they're all a-praying
While they keep playing I'm humming and swaying.
It's the good ship Robert E. Lee that's come to carry the cotton away.
Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
Did you say the levee?
Yes, join that shuffling throng.
Hear that music and song.
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.
The whistles am blowing--the smokestacks are showing.
The ropes they are throwing. Excuse me--I'm going!
To the place where all is harmonious.
Even the preacher--he is the dancing teacher.
Have you been down there? Never was around there.
If you ever go there, you'll never leave there.
Why, doggone, here comes my baby on the good old Robert E. Lee.
Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
I said the levee.
Join the shuffling throng.
Hear the music and song.
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.
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