History
The "Missouri Waltz", which had originally been a Minstrel show, minstrel (later ragtime before it finally became country music, country) song, became the state song under an act adopted by the Missouri General Assembly, General Assembly on June 30, 1949. The song came from a melody John Valentine Eppel heard Lee Edgar Settle play. Mr. Settle was a well known rag time piano player and the song he wrote and played, The Graveyard Waltz, was the actual melody for the Missouri Waltz. John V. Eppel claimed he wrote it but it was well known at the time that the melody was actually written by Lee Edgar Settle. The Missouri Waltz was Arrangement, arranged by Frederic Knight Logan, using lyrics written by James Royce Shannon. First published in 1914, early popular versions were by The Victor Military Band, Charles A. Prince, Prince's Orchestra, Jaudas' Society Orchestra, Elsie Baker, Henry Burr & Albert Campbell (singer), Albert Campbell, and by Earl Fuller. The song enjoyed fresh success in 1939 when it was featured in the film ''The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle'' by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Sales increased substantially after Missourian Harry S Truman became President of the United States, president, and it was reported that the "Missouri Waltz" was his favorite song. Although, when asked about his feelings the following reply was published by the White House:"President's attitude towards the song? He can take it or leave it. Is it really his favorite? No. Does he play it often? No. Is Margaret Truman, Margaret ever heard singing it? No. What is the President's reaction to song's adoption by Missouri as state song? See answer to first question."Although the song is often associated with Harry Truman, the president did not claim it as his favorite song. In fact, he had this to say about it in a television interview: "If you let me say what I think, I don't give a ... about it, but I can't say it out loud because it's the song of Missouri. It's as bad as 'The Star-Spangled Banner' as far as music is concerned." The song was performed a capella by Marideth Sisco for the opening scene of the 2010 film ''Winter's Bone'' which starred Jennifer Lawrence in her breakthrough role, breakout role. The song is played by the University of Missouri's Marching Mizzou at every home football game to a unique marching style in 3/4 time. Singer Linda Ronstadt reports that the Missouri Waltz has been an earworm in recent years.
Lyrics
''Hush-a-bye, ma baby, slumbertime is comin' soon;''Other notable recordings
*Bing Crosby - recorded June 9, 1939 with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra. *The Fontane Sisters - recorded for Musicraft Records in 1946. *Gene Autry - recorded in December 1947 for Columbia Records (catalog No. 20524) *Mance Lipscomb - recorded May 2, 1964, released in 1993 by Arhoolie Records (catalog # CD 398). Lipscomb learned to play it when he was a boy, from his father who was a fiddler. *Mantovani (1962) *Paul Whiteman - recorded September 21, 1927 with a vocal group comprising Bing Crosby, Al Rinker, Charles Gaylord, Jack Fulton (singer), Jack Fulton and Austin Young. *Perry Como - recorded December 14, 1948 *Roy Fox and his Band (vocal: Al Bowlly) - recorded January 24, 1931 (Al Bowlly Discography) *Johnny Cash - released 2006References
Further reading
*External links