He Goes to Church on Sunday
Encyclopedia
"He Goes to Church on Sunday" is a popular song, first published in 1907, and written by Vincent Bryan and E. Ray Goetz
. The song tells the story of a "crooked" man, who steals stuff from people, but is considered an honest man because he goes to church
on Sundays. However, the song doesn't appear to be a criticism of religion
, and the tone of the song is humorous and light-hearted. Billy Murray
recorded and released at least four different versions of this song in one year, on Columbia Records
, Standard Records, Victor Records, and Edison Records
. All four versions are in the public domain
.
E. Ray Goetz
Edward Ray Goetz was an American composer, songwriter, author and producer. He was a charter member of ASCAP in 1914, and was a director until 1917. Goetz appeared in the films Somebody Loves Me , The Greatest Show On Earth and For Me And My Gal . He wrote the songs "Toddling The Todalo" and "For...
. The song tells the story of a "crooked" man, who steals stuff from people, but is considered an honest man because he goes to church
Church service
In Christianity, a church service is a term used to describe a formalized period of communal worship, often but not exclusively occurring on Sunday, or Saturday in the case of those churches practicing seventh-day Sabbatarianism. The church service is the gathering together of Christians to be...
on Sundays. However, the song doesn't appear to be a criticism of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, and the tone of the song is humorous and light-hearted. Billy Murray
Billy Murray (singer)
William Thomas "Billy" Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century...
recorded and released at least four different versions of this song in one year, on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Standard Records, Victor Records, and Edison Records
Edison Records
Edison Records was one of the earliest record labels which pioneered recorded sound and was an important player in the early recording industry.- Early phonographs before commercial mass produced records :...
. All four versions are in the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
.