Amazing how a song written in 1894 can still be played and sung 126 years later. New York in the 1890´s must have been an interesting place but the authors, Lawlor and Blake were recounting their childhood memories in the 1860’s so we are actually seeing New York as it was 150 years ago. The waltz tempo and easy words have kept it alive all these years.

When I was child in rural Nebraska, attending a country school, we used to sing this song in our music class. Even though I was just a little kid, it instantly brought to mind the skyscrapers and crowds of people and excitement of the "big city". So far away and so different from the lonely prairies of Nebraska.

This song has been in my life since I was a child. It's the only piece I could listen to over and over and still be content and happy with by the end. Even now as I sit here, just did the stupidest thing of my life, the song is telling me everything will be alright. Thank you Mamie O'rourke.

In a story I wrote, I referred to the player piano as “nineteenth century digital technology,” which it is. I went to school back when there were music classes. This song was in our song book. Imagine twenty kids raggedly singing along to the teacher on the piano. I loved this song, but only now thought to check up on the name. Thank you for this, it brings back the good feelings, of better times-for the writers, and for me. I am sixty-seven, as of this writing.

Don't forget to vote for Al Smith!

Thank you so much for posting this. My Wife and I laughed so hard trying to stay in time, not always succeeding, singing the lyrics on the side of the roll. I could just imagine a family and friends at home or a bunch of guys in a tavern standing around the piano singing this song. Puts one in a nice mood.

A beautiful song, full of longing and nostalgia.

Lemme tell ya, my old granny useta says, "We all sleeped better at nite knowsin Al Smith was in charge of New York"

Delightful 😊

This song brought me here from Disney. They use this theme song for their Main Street U.S.A in Disneyland and Disneyworld.

Lawlor & Blake's masterpiece. Al Smith's campaign song 1928

Ah, what wonder, a song from long ago about memories from long ago from a New York much different than today.

Beautiful! My hometown! as a kid we had a player piano which needed a belt as far as I could see the piano my moms would play and in the attic were masses of piano rolls that had been my Grandma's as that had been her house My dad one day piled them up in the gutter and burned them I hated to see it but did not have the confidence to fix the piano but I became the typical jack of all trades by 17 did all my own automotive work and learned carpentry, plumbing, electrical, roofing, landscaping, tree work fixing TVs and radios you name it Wish I had saved it my dad finally got my moms to part with it although I don't think she really wanted to but space was getting to be a premium at home I slept in the attic no heat In Metro NY made for some cold nights until at 16 I built a room with insulation learned framing, drywall and most of all taping and painting and doing the perfect job even put in new windows which I paid for I started it before my dad could stop me which I caught hell for I had it done in a few days in mild weather later even built a dormer window too bad I couldn't stick with one trade and make top money sooner but what finally did the trick was to work for wealthy people the job had to be perfect but I gave estimates for the labor and usually finished them faster than they thought possible. That was one thing I realized how obvious it was the hard part was getting those jobs but I had a girl friend who was an artist and would paint murals etc.in homes and apartments in wealthy suburban towns and most especially in Manhattan TOP MONEY well I've gone far afield of music I liked to write too even sold a few magazine articles for small money so thanx for the posting I really liked it

Now I wanna watch Ragtime again. Awesome movie and Cagney’s last one.

Thanks for posting. Rare these days to see this; it's also fun.

I had friends who had a player piano that you pumped the pedals. I'd be soaked but still playing. This was one of the rolls they had. Great to hear again!

THANKS. A FUN RENDITION.

This song and some of its lyrics were provided on a screen during a little remembered spectacular (a fancy multimedia presentation) called "The New York Experience", back in the 70's and 80's. It was down under Sixth Avenue, in the same plaza with the last incarnation of Luchow's. I saw this with my parents, and I know we found it inexplicably moving.

How many forms of our present tech. will still be around and functioning in 100 years? CD´s i read this !

@lyndi martin Thanks for the comment. I hope you enjoyed the video. I never thought about it, but, I could have the roll copied and re-cut.

@UCBQypxGlXdMtdfcUOgaC7Jg This instrument is great for Vocal accompaniment. I can't find any videos of this with the added vocals so I have to create some.

Young Jimmy Cagney & the sweet Ann Sheridan in a wanderful film City for Conquest (1940). 'Tis the op'ning & closing refrain. That'd be me fondest mem'ry of this one, tho tha combination with a playar piyano puts a tear in me throat & one in me eye.

Bravo!

This is bound to make excellent silent film music!

A very nice recording of this! Sounds great on your piano. I might fix that small right edge damage so it doesn't catch and damage the roll on rewind? Being a collector myself, I'd hate to lose a copy as good as this :)

Good luck with your player! They are simple to work on and once you understand the functioning of the systems keeping them working is not difficult. LOTS OF ROLLS FOR SALE ON EBAY TOO.

Cool. A very very old Synthesia like program.

My family has a player piano like this and I would love to have this song. Love it!

I guess I am really old fashioned because I find myself singing along

Reminds me of the Saturday Night Live episode Mr. Bill goes to the movies, he is watching a movie with his grandpa Vaudeville Bill who like him was getting abused by Sluggo's grandpa.....poor Mr. Bill never caught a break.

fantastic!!

LOVED this!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

Thank you for posting.

Lovely, great roll.

Congratulations from Rafael, pianolist in Madrid, Spain...!

Nice version! Vocalstyle had some good marimba waltzs.

I love this

AWWWW it's so olden timy and cute!

RICS LY- THE LOW FOL- TO SY EA- SO NOT

With you all the way here...this is immeasureably pleasureable to listen to and gives us a feeling of our culture at the time that is impossible in any other way. I'm going to use some of your recordings to introduce this to my grandchildren in a couple weeks. I can only hope that someday....they will remember...I wonder if UTube will be round in 100 years!?

first karaoke machine ever :D

I remember they played this song in an old SNL episode of MR BILL GOES TO THE MOVIES. They showed an old silent movie of MR BILL's grandad comically named Vaudeville Bill. He still got the same treatment from evil Mr. Sluggo and in the silent movie cards they had in big letters OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH NNNNOOOOO!!!! I laughed so hard and yet felt bad for the little guy getting hurt.

Hard to imagine a time prior to edison's black discs... or mp3 players for that matter.

“Manhattan Mouse. Starring: Itchy Copyright 1919”

This is fantastic! I have never heard this song but I had no problem singing along to it. I don't think this was i big hit in Sweden. =) Love yer piano.

Reminds me of the SNL Mr. Bill Goes To The Movies

Belmont Park is restoring the use of this song at The Belmont Stakes June 7!! The curse is lifted!!!

Reminds me of 'sweet Rosie O'Grady'

These old Player Pianos are kind of spooky. Its like there is a Ghost playing it!

ING TRY EP KE

Good arrangement in this roll. Too bad the camera was focused from the left rather than from the right -- where the lyrics of the song could be used to sing along (especially for the younger listeners.!)

Dulany Street.

Nearly same melody as "you're in love with everyone but the one who's in love with you."