In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

While rummaging around in some of my old files, I recently found a copy of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree." On the cover of this music there is an intriguing picture of a quartet (The Empire Quartette). Three members of the quartet appear to be typical gentlemen of the time when the music was published (1905). They are neatly attired in suits, ties, and hats. Their poses are relaxed, but they also appear to be serious and dignified. The fourth member (a baritone?) wears no tie and his bowler is pulled down to his ears. He needs a shave, and, judging from his faint grin and sleepy looking eyes, he might recently have had two or three drinks too many, or several late night gigs.

The picture makes it obvious that the Empire Quartette was a comedy group. It also seems likely that it was a popular quartet. Whoever thought of the pose certainly had a sense of humor. Almost a century after its publication, it still strikes me as funny.

It isn’t hard to imagine all sorts of hilarious scenarios involving the three well dressed guys and the bum. On the other hand, the song’s lyrics and music don’t seem to lend themselves to comedy.

No matter how it was performed, however, the song was destined to be a hit. The words were written by a Chicago native, Egbert Van Alstyne, and the music was composed by Harry Williams from Faribault, Minnesota. (Burg Szabo has pointed out that this was not the same Harry H. Williams who was one of the writers of "It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary.") Van Alstyne and Williams collaborated on several other songs (including "Won’t You Come Over to My House?" and "I’m Afraid to Come Out In the Dark.") "In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree," however, was their most successful publication.

It has remained a favorite during all of the years since its publication. When I joined the Society in 1971, it was a Barberpole Cat number. Like most of the popular songs written around the turn of the century, it’s especially good for woodshedding.

If you don’t know this song, you can find it in the Heritage of Harmony Songbook (a publication every true barbershopper should have.) --sources: Heritage of Harmony Songbook, edited by Burg Szabo, and Trust Me With Your Heart Again, A Fireside Treasury of Turn-Of-The-Century Sheet Music, collected by Norton Stillman.

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Note: This is not the same cover mentioned in the writeup.

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