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Waiting for the Robert E. Lee

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by IncorrigibleCantor (talk | contribs) at 00:03, 14 October 2018 (Added paragraph on Wilder's mention of this song in his landmark book, and added reference to the book.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Waiting for the Robert E. Lee"
Song

"Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" is an American popular song written in 1912, with music by Lewis F. Muir and lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert. The "Robert E. Lee" in the title refers to the steamboat of that name.

It has been recorded by such artists as Al Jolson, Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, Louis Jordan, Dean Martin, Russ Conway, Chas and Dave, Neil Diamond, and Lizzie Miles.

in Alec Wilder's 1972 study, American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950, the songwriter and critic discusses "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" as an early example of the evolution of American popular song and development of the Great American Songbook. Wilder asserts that with this song, "Muir caught the spirit of the new rhythms that had burst out with ragtime...This is a good song in any decade and remarkable for its time, certainly as much so as "Alexander's Ragtime Band." [1]


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  1. ^ Wilder, Alec (1990) [1972]. American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900-1950. New York: Oxford. p. 16. ISBN 0-19-501445-6.
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