In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree is a popular song dating from 1905. It was written by Harry Williams and Egbert Van Alstyne (music). Popular recordings in 1905 were by Henry Burr; Albert Campbell; Haydn Quartet; and by Arthur Pryor's Band.[1] Other recordings were by Duke Ellington (Brunswick 6646, recorded August 15, 1933),[2] Louis Armstrong and The Mills Brothers (Decca 1495, recorded June 29, 1937)[3] and Alma Cogan (1962).[4] Bing Crosby included the song in a medley on his album On the Sentimental Side (1962).
The meter of its chorus is in the form of a Limerick.
It can safely be characterized as a highly sentimental tune. Although the verses (seldom heard nowadays) provide further explanation, it is clear that the writer is singing about a lost love:
- In the shade of the old apple tree,
- Where the love in your eyes I could see,
- Where the voice that I heard,
- Like the song of a bird,
- Seemed to whisper sweet music to me,
- I could hear the dull buzz of the bee
- In the blossoms as you said to me,
- "With a heart that is true,
- "I'll be waiting for you,
- In the shade of the old apple tree."
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 528. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.