"Somebody Lied" sung by Eddie Morton,The Singing Cop Victor 5546 One sided 1908
  $   20

 


$ 20 Sold For
Jul 8, 2019 Sold Date
Jun 9, 2019 Start Date
1 Number Of Bids
  USA Country Of Seller
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Description

Up for sale is a ONE SIDED, 10 inch, Victor, shellac record (78 RPM) issued in 1908.  The "comic song", which has three stanzas, relates various falsehoods told to the singer, who purports to be an African-American man.  But one of the falsehoods CAME TRUE exactly a century later!


Record Label:  Victor Records Record Number: 5546 Year of Release:  1908 Artist:  Eddie Morton Song Title:  "Somebody Lied" (Bransen-Lloyd) Wax matrix mark:  Tiny "L" followed by 5546
The three "lies" related in this recording were:
  • That the singer would grow up to be President
  • That a mule was gentle and would not kick the singer
  • That a boater who took the only life preserver would throw the singer a rope
With respect to the first "lie", the following lyrics (emphasis added) are instructive:

George Washington so his'try says, Would never tell a lie; 
I wish there were more Washingtons, I do, I hope to die. 
When I was but a little boy, somebody felt my head; 
Says he "you'll be a President some day, that's what he said

Somebody lied! Somebody lied, you see; 
There never was a President that ever resembled me. 
Somebody lied, As plain as plain can be; 
Somebody lied, As sure's your're born, 
Somebody falsified to me.

It is likely that Eddie Morton sung this song in blackface. [The chorus has the feel of a Negro spiritual.]  Years later, the lyrics were used in the protest movements over civil rights.  In 2008, Barack Obama was elected President, thereby invalidating the century old lyric from the first stanza! It is also of interest, that this song was adapted and utilized by an actual African American showman, Bert Williams, in his elaborate musical production of Bandanna Land, which ran from February to April, 1908 (89 performances) at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. Eddie Morton was born in 1870 in Philadelphia, the son of actor C. H. Morton.  From 1898 to 1905, he worked for the Philadelphia Police Department, which led to his using the moniker of "The Singing Cop".  Morton, a baritone, would become a highly successful comedian and singer on the vaudeville circuit.  He recorded between 1907 and 1917 and continued active on stage until 1926.  He then retired to run a golf club and restaurant in New Jersey.  Morton died in 1935.  Perhaps his most familiar song is "I'm A Member of the Midnight Crew" which was incorporated into the recent netcomic "Homestuck", created by Andrew Hussie.  
Please see above for full description of condition and for photos.   Sold as is.
Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.  Please note that if you have a Military Mail (e.g. APO) address, I must ask that you pick USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses.
Attention International Buyers:  I will ship by USPS First Class International Mail (to selected countries where E-Delcon is available) or by USPS Priority International Mail (worldwide), your choice.  Please note that the price does not include any customs that may be charged by the country to which this is delivered.  (There are about 35 countries that have e-Delcon service. You can find a list by searching the web for “USPS e-Delcon”. If your country is on the list, but you are not being given the option of purchasing by USPS First Class International Parcel, please contact me before purchasing and I will attempt to change the settings.)


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