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A classic among popular standards and turn of the century songs. "A Bird in a Gilded Cage" is a famous "Broadway song" of the gilded age. This music video also features rare vintage film of New York at the time this popular standard song was written. The music was composed by Harry Von Tilzer. The words to "A Bird in a Gilded cage" were penned by English lyricist Arthur J. Lamb. Marc Berman sings in this video. This old Broadway song has also been recorded by artists like Bing Crosby. It is sentimental, old music that captures the feel of a bygone era. As does the vintage film footage. Popular standards and old songs like this hearken back to the beautiful melodies of a simpler time: the "gay nineties" and the turn of the century. Harry Von Tilzer was a contemporary of a young Irving Berlin, and an old Mark Twain. Von Tilzer's brother, Albert, was also a famous composer. Albert even wrote the hit song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," in 1908. As a gilded age song, "A Bird in a Gilded Cage" features both a lilting melody and a compelling story. The story's "plot" involves of a "fallen" young woman, who "married for wealth, not for love." Some of the lyrics have been updated in this recording to more modern terminology (e.g., "it's instead of "tis"), and for dramatic clarity. As Von Tilzer recounted, Lamb first approached him with proposed lyrics in 1899. While Von Tilzer liked them, he asked Lamb to change some words. Apparently, the original version made it seem that the woman of the song was a lover, not a wife--a scandalous assertion in those days. Von Tilzer would compose the melody in a pub. While composing, he noticed that some of the girls present were weeping. That seemingly convinced Von Tilzer that the song would be a hit. Indeed, he would later state that "A Bird in a Gilded Cage" was "the key that opened the door of wealth and fame" to him. The sheet music to the song was published in 1900. It quickly became a king among gilded age songs. Great old songs like " A Bird in a Gilded Cage" surely are worth listening to, even 100+ years later. Popular vintage songs and worthy vintage music of all genres never really go out of style. So too, this vintage New York song will likely still be sung a hundred years from today.

“Gloaming” is a Scottish word. It basically means “twilight.” “In the Gloaming” is a classic song, a real popular standard. While not written for the theater, it is a song in the style of the great Broadway songs. Think of some of the tunes composed by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Or, say, the great ballads that Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone or Nat King Cole sang. Not surprisingly, “In the Gloaming” has been recorded over the years by many artists, including Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Gordon MacRae, Jo Stafford, and John Charles Thomas. However, some previous recordings leave out the second half of the song. This new recording, sung by Marc Berman, includes the complete song. Berman has also added new lyrics to the latter part of the song, in order to give it a more “contemporary” feel. Interestingly, “In the Gloaming” was an all-female production. Women wrote both the words and the music. This was quite unusual for popular standards of the song’s era. The original lyrics to the song come from a poem by the Scottish poet Meta Orred, who lived most of her life in England. Annie Fortescue Harrison, also British, wrote the music. In fact, “In the Gloaming” was her most popular “hit.” The song tells the story of a broken love affair. The protagonist tells his love that he did not abandon her because of selfish reasons. Rather, his heart was “crushed with longing.” He says to her that he only “passed away” because it was “best for you.” is he being sincere? You decide. Here are the ORIGINAL lyrics to “in The Gloaming:” In the gloaming, oh my darling When the lights are soft and low And the quiet shadows, falling, Softly come and softly go. When the winds are sobbing faintly With a gentle unknown woe, Will you think of me and love me, As you did once, long ago? In the gloaming, oh my darling Think not bitterly of me. Though I passed away in silence Left you lonely, set you free. For my heart was crushed with longing What had been could never be. It was best to leave you thus, dear, Best for you, and best for me. In the video, the second half lyrics are changed to: In the gloaming, oh my darling What I did, don’t misconstrue Though I passed away in silence Left you lonely... free… but blue. For my heart was crushed with longing What we felt was wrong, but true. It was best to leave you so, dear, Best for me, and best for you. Like a great Broadway song, “In the Gloaming,” though Harrison wrote it in 1877, never really ages. Similarly, like a song from a hit musical, or a popular love song, it remains fresh, vibrant, poignant, and indestructible, even in the twenty-first century. And it will remain so, at least for as long as couples continue to fall in and out of love. Copyright Note: As mentioned above, “In the Gloaming,” was composed by Annie Fortescue Harrison (December 30, 1848 –February 12, 1944) in 1877. Hutchins and Roemer published the song in London. As further noted, the original lyrics were written by Meta Orred (1845-1925). Thus, the song’s music and lyrics are in the public domain. The above-mentioned Hutchins and Roemer edition was the only musical arrangement utilized (with original modifications of the lyrics) in the video. All photographs, films and other graphical images appearing in the video are in the public domain, owned by this channel or lawfully used under a Creative Commons license/copyright waiver. Of course, this new video itself, including without limitation the audio contained in it, is under copyright.

Originally from the London musical review “The Bing Boys are Here,” this song was more recently popularized by its appearance in the series Downton Abbey. "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" was composed by Nat D. Ayer, with lyrics by Clifford Grey. The song stands among the best-known Broadway songs, show tunes, and popular standards, including even those written by luminaries like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, and Cole Porter. For the Downton Abbey recording, the rhythm of the song was changed to that of a waltz. On this video, it is sung in the original "foxtrot" version, in 4/4 time. Marc Berman is the vocalist. According to Iris Bass, a reviewer for "Sightlines" magazine, Mr. Berman possesses "one of the finest voices." A reviewer in "The Capital" praised "the richness of his voice." And James Oestreich of the New York Times described Berman’s singing as "solid." Love songs like this were all the rage back in the day. Especially around Valentine's Day. “If You Were the Only Girl in the World” has been previously recorded by many artists. Besides the original cast recording, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Alfie Boe, Doris Day, Dean Martin, Gordon MacRae, and Rudy Vallee all covered the piece. While "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" has endured since it was composed in 1916, the rest of the songs from "The Bing Boys are Here" have been all but forgotten. Indeed, this song was one of Nat D. Ayers few "hits." Interestingly, the lyricist of "If You Were the Only Girl in the World," Clifford Grey, was long confused with an Olympic bobsleigher by the same name. However, they were not the same man. Nonetheless, when a marker was added to Grey's grave in 2005, it contained the erroneous Olympic athlete identification. Based on the original 1916 score, as well as the original cast recording, the song appears to have been sung in “The Bing Boys are Here” as a love duet. The original key was Eb major. On this video, it is sung in A major. Surely, this love song from a bygone age will endure as long as there still are young men and women who meet and fall in love. It that sense, and despite the date of its composition, the ballad remains fresh and vibrant. Here are the lyrics to the song: Sometimes when I feel bad And things look blue I wish a girl I had, say one like you Someone within my heart to build her throne Someone who'd never part, to call my own I’ll try, a love to teach, dear Fond and true I sigh, a world to reach, dear Just made for me and you. If you were the only girl in the world And I were the only boy Nothing else would matter in the world today We could go on loving in the same old way A Garden of Eden just made for two With nothing to mar our joy I would say such wonderful things to you There would be such wonderful things to do If you were the only girl in the world And I were the only boy. Note: "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" is in the public domain. All photographs and other graphical images appearing in the video are either in the public domain, owned by this channel or lawfully used under a Creative Commons BY license..