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

$

20

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.
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