William C. Handy Song Lyrics
This collection contains a copy of "The Memphis Blues of Mister Crump" song lyrics by William C. Handy and George A. Norton. The lyrics are signed by Handy and dated January 1, 1942, from New York City, N.Y.
Dates
- 1942 January 1
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection contains a copy of "The Memphis Blues of Mister Crump" song lyrics by William C. Handy and George A. Norton. The lyrics are signed by Handy and dated January 1, 1942, from New York City, N.Y.
Biographical/Historical Note
William Christopher Handy (1873-1958) was an African-American musician, composer, bandleader, writer, and publisher, known as the Father of the Blues. He was born in Alabama and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. From 1907 to 1917, Handy and his wife lived in Memphis, Tennessee. There, he wrote his most famous song, "St. Louis Blues" (1914). However, it was "The Memphis Blues" that garnered his first national attention. The music, originally titled "Mr. Crump," served as Edward H. Crump's 1909 mayoral campaign song.
George A. Norton (1880-1923) was an American lyricist and composer. At the request of a music publisher, Norton wrote the lyrics to Handy's "The Memphis Blues" which had originally be an instrumental song.
In 2018, a version of the song that had been recorded by the Victor Military Band in 1914 was entered into the National Recording Registry.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Collection was purchased by Special Collections in June of 2002.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository