Titanic Songs

 

Since I was a kid, I was enthralled by anything Titanic. I was hoping to meet any survivor and some were still around back in the 70s and even, 80s. I read books and watched any movie about it. The best film, ever made about the Titanic is, “ A Night To Remember” from 1958, which recounts what happened including the snobbery of the 1st Class ( the 1997 flick has superb special effects, but the story is stupid, it’s The LoveBoat Sinking). Over at Monday Music Moves Me, in honour of the people who lost their lives as well as survived this famous sinking, it’s about Icebergs, ships, Big Band Music etc… and I went with these 3 songs that were all part of the repertoire of the White Star Line. They were probably played during this voyage if, not in fact, while the ship was sinking, by this very brave band.

1. THE MERRY WIDOW WALTZ BY FRANZ LEHAR

This piece came from the very famous operetta The Merry Widow from 1905 which was a huge hit and continues to be to this day. A few songs made their way on to the White Star Line list of music to play during its voyage. The original play came from 1861 but it’s the operetta that became famous with a few movies based on this musical including a silent version starring Mae Murray and John Gilbert.

2. LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART FROM 1910

I think we all heard this song in one version or another  and was a huge hit from this early time with music by Leo Friedman and lyrics by Beth Slater. This was played  during the voyage either during the luncheons or before the fancy dinners. I like to think they played this since so many men were saying goodbye to their wives, lovers or girlfriends helping them into the lifeboats knowing they will never see each other again. It takes on a new meaning when one thinks of this scene.

3. SONGE  D’AUTOMNE BY ARCHIBALD JOYCE FROM 1908

Archibald Joyce  was quite the prolific writer in his heyday and many of his musical pieces were part of the White Star Line and were, more than likely, played on the Titanic. In fact, some of the survivors said this song “Dream Of Autumn”  was the last song played by the musicians instead of “Nearer My God To Thee”. I still believe that it is the latter that was last played, but this song is pretty.

Bonus…NEARER MY GOD TO THEE FROM FILM A NIGHT TO REMEMBER-1958