{"id":3872,"date":"2020-06-26T14:09:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-26T14:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=3872"},"modified":"2025-12-14T07:57:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T07:57:45","slug":"in-the-shade-of-the-old-apple-tree","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/in-the-shade-of-the-old-apple-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"In the shade of the old apple tree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>The old apple tree
Under the apple tree
One day I thought I’d take a swim in the water <\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td> 1905<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lyrics<\/strong><\/td>Harry H. Williams <\/td>Music<\/strong><\/td> Egbert Van Alstyne<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN10242<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td>Burt Shepard<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Source Singers<\/strong>
Eric Firth, no date, England
Jeannine Lebastard, no date, Saskatchewan Canada
Edward B Horton, 1933, Vermont USA
Roy Crimes etc<\/a>, 1953, Arkansas USA [parody]
Gladys Everly, 1958, Missouri USA
Geoff Ling<\/a>, 1964\/65, Suffolk England
May Bradley, 1965, Shropshire England
Lena Cooper, 1966, Kent England
Walter Pardon<\/a>, 1974, Norfolk England
Vincent Ledwell, 1974, Newfoundland Canada
Modern performances<\/strong>
<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As originally written:<\/strong>\n\nThe oriole with joy was sweetly singing\nThe little brook was babbling forth its tune\nThe village bells at noon were gaily singing\nThe world seemed brighter that a harvest moon\nFor there, within my arms, I gently pressed you\nAnd blushing red you slowly turned away\nI can't forget the way I once caressed you\nI can't forget that happy bygone day,\n\nIn the shade of the old apple tree\nWhen the love in your eyes I could see\nWhen the voice that I heard, like the song of a bird\nSeemed to whisper sweet music to me\nI could hear the dull buzz of the bee\nIn the blossoms as you said to me\n\"With a heart that is true\nI'll be waiting for you\nIn the shade of the old apple tree.<\/em>\n\nIn other lands I've wandered since we parted\nI seek the garden fair beside the stream\nI tread each well known pathway weary hearted\nFor all I see recalls the old sweet dream\nNo more on earth your loving smile will cheer me\nNo more on earth your dear face I shall see\nYet memories of the past are ever near me\nAnd linger round the dear old apple tree,<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
The words given above are for the original American song, which was a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic. It was written as a popular song of the day, and like many other hits from America, it was sung in the Halls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the British Halls the song was associated with American artiste Burt Shepard (1854\u20131913) a former female impersonator and black-face minstrel, latterly a popular Music Hall singer and comedian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been taken up by traditional singers on both sides of the Atlantic who often sing it in its original form. Given the rather sentimental content, it’s not surprising there are a number of parody versions. Rambling Jack Elliott recorded one related to  Roy Crimes’ 1953 version. Some particularly filthy versions can be found in collections of rugby songs.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Its a bit of a Trad jazz standard, and you can find dozens of jazz versions including those by Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recording or download of this song can be purchased from Windyridge CDs.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n