The Sidewalks of New York (1925 and 1929) are two cartoon short films made by animation pioneers Max Fleischer and Dave Fleischer, both films using the 1894 song "The Sidewalks of New York". Both films feature the "Follow the Bouncing Ball" gimmick, and are also known under the title "East Side, West Side" -- which is the informal title of the original song.
“The Sidewalks of New York” is a popular song about life in New York City during the 1890s. It was created by lyricist James W. Blake and vaudeville actor and composer Charles B. Lawlor in 1894. The song proved successful afterwards, and was once considered a theme for New York City. Many artists, including Mel Tormé, Duke Ellington, Larry Groce and The Grateful Dead, have performed this song. Governor Al Smith of New York used it as a theme song for his failed presidential campaign in 1928. The song is also known under the title “East Side, West Side” from the first words of the chorus. The song was also recorded, with slightly altered lyrics, by the Kidsongs Kids.
Shannon Quartet – The Sidewalks Of New York
Filmed on Twenty-Third Street, New York City (1901)
Words and Music by James W. Blake and Charles E. Lawlor
The song “The sidewalks of New York”, performed by Robert Sean Leonard. From “New York: A Documentary Film”, Ep 3, ‘Sunshine and Shadow’
LyricsWhile variations exist depending on the artist performing the song, the chorus has been consistent. The original lyrics are as follows.
Down in front of Casey’s old brown wooden stoop
On a summer’s evening we formed a merry group
Boys and girls together we would sing and waltz
While Tony played the organ on the sidewalks of New York
East Side, West Side, all around the town
The tots sang “ring-around-rosie,” “London Bridge is falling down”
Boys and girls together, me and Mamie O’Rourke
Tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York
That’s where Johnny Casey, little Jimmy Crowe
Jakey Krause, the baker, who always had the dough
Pretty Nellie Shannon with a dude as light as cork
She first picked up the waltz step on the sidewalks of New York
Things have changed since those times, some are up in “G”
Others they are wand’rers but they all feel just like me
They’d part with all they’ve got, could they once more walk
With their best girl and have a twirl on the sidewalks of New York
About the Authors: “Died. James W. Blake, 72, author in 1894 of the words of Al Smith’s latterday campaign song, ”The Sidewalks of New York”; of cancer; in Manhattan. Mamie O’Rourke, Nellie Shannon, Johnny Casey and Jimmy Crowe, who “tripped the light fantastic” in Blake’s lyric, had been his childhood playmates. Though the song still sells 5,000 copies a year, it brought only $5,000 to Blake and Composer Charles Lawlor, who died penniless in 1925. Pensioned by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers, Blake was hospitalized during his last illness through the offices of Citizen Smith.” Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,883418,00.html#ixzz0eskPD0AD
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