The sinking of the Titanic - Vernon Dalhart

[Edisonfan]

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in HD.)

[Orchorsol]

Great, thanks! These disaster and wreck records of the 20s always raise a grim smile with me - such heavy and tragic subject matter, woefully poor lyrics, and cheerful chirpy music and singing style. Bizarre! I guess it didn't come over quite that way back in the day...

[epigramophone]

Much as I like Vernon Dalhart's disaster records, I prefer the unashamedly jingoistic British commemoration of the loss of the Titanic.

[poodling around]

Much as I like Vernon Dalhart's disaster records, I prefer the unashamedly jingoistic British commemoration of the loss of the Titanic.

Is this the same song - different composer(s) ?

[epigramophone]

I assume so, since Wright's name appears on both labels, but it is odd that the Zonophone label makes no mention of the Titanic. Unless they knew the song and it's connection with the Titanic, the record could easily pass unrecognised by collectors.

[poodling around]

I assume so, since Wright's name appears on both labels, but it is odd that the Zonophone label makes no mention of the Titanic. Unless they knew the song and it's connection with the Titanic, the record could easily pass unrecognised by collectors.

Interesting, thanks epigramophone.

[Marco Gilardetti]

woefully poor lyrics, and cheerful chirpy music and singing style. Bizarre!

My goodness!!! I have to fully agree with this! Embarassing for real!

I myself could have arranged something better, and this is not often the case when it comes to lyrics and music.

I'm really unable to tell if back then a song like this might have been considered "appropriate" for the event; I tend to say no, as there are countless songs or operatic arias of the same time with huge drama and pathos, which music and lyrics are still moving even by today's standards.

[CarlosV]

Great, thanks! These disaster and wreck records of the 20s always raise a grim smile with me - such heavy and tragic subject matter, woefully poor lyrics, and cheerful chirpy music and singing style. Bizarre! I guess it didn't come over quite that way back in the day...

Maybe the composer's mother-in-law was one of the victims.

[Marco Gilardetti]

I have to say that, luckily enough, my mother-in-law "adopted" me as a sort of extra child.

But yeah. Under normal circumstances, that would perhaps explain the freak upbeat mood of this record.