Theodora Morse
Encyclopedia
Theodora Morse was an American song writer and composer.
She was a Tin Pan Alley
lyricist who collaborated to produce a number of popular songs.
(1873–1924). She and her husband became a successful songwriting team for Tin Pan Alley
. Listed as Terriss & Morse, they were one of the earliest Tin Pan Alley husband-wife songwriting teams.
She wrote the lyrics for Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here
to a tune originally written by Arthur Sullivan
for the comic opera The Pirates of Penzance
. Popular good-night waltz Three O'Clock in the Morning
was written to music written by Julian Robledo. The song was recorded in 1922 by Paul Whiteman
and his orchestra. Jazz and pop standard, Wonderful One
, was written by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé
, with lyrics by Theodora Morse based on a theme by movie director Marshall Neilan
.
Theodora Morse died in White Plains, NY.
She was a Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
lyricist who collaborated to produce a number of popular songs.
Background
Alfreda Theodora Strandberg was born in Brooklyn, New York. On March 7, 1907, she married Theodore F. MorseTheodore F. Morse
Theodore F. Morse was an American composer of popular songs.Born in Washington D.C., Morse was educated at the Maryland Military & Naval Academy. He went on to study both violin and piano. He and his wife, Theodora Morse, became a successful songwriting team for Tin Pan Alley...
(1873–1924). She and her husband became a successful songwriting team for Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
. Listed as Terriss & Morse, they were one of the earliest Tin Pan Alley husband-wife songwriting teams.
Career
Theodora not only wrote with her husband, but also collaborated with other composers. Professionally, she often used the pseudonyms of Dorothy Terriss, Dolly Morse and D. A. Esrom.She wrote the lyrics for Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here
Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here
"Hail, hail, the gang's all here" is the popular refrain from the 1915 American song, "Alabama Jubilee" made famous by Fred Astaire.The lyrics were written by D. A. Esrom to a tune originally written by Arthur Sullivan for the 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance...
to a tune originally written by Arthur Sullivan
Arthur Sullivan
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO was an English composer of Irish and Italian ancestry. He is best known for his series of 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including such enduring works as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado...
for the comic opera The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences...
. Popular good-night waltz Three O'Clock in the Morning
Three O'Clock in the Morning
"Three O’clock in the Morning" is a popular good-night waltz.The lyrics were written by Theodora Morse to music written by Julian Robledo. The song was recorded in 1922 by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra...
was written to music written by Julian Robledo. The song was recorded in 1922 by Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman
Paul Samuel Whiteman was an American bandleader and orchestral director.Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz"...
and his orchestra. Jazz and pop standard, Wonderful One
Wonderful One
"Wonderful One" is a popular song recorded by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on January 25, 1923 in New York and was released as Victor 19019-B. The record reached no. 3 on the Billboard chart....
, was written by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé
Ferde Grofé
Ferde Grofé was a prominent American composer, arranger and pianist. During the 1920s and 1930s, he went by the name Ferdie Grofé.-Early life:...
, with lyrics by Theodora Morse based on a theme by movie director Marshall Neilan
Marshall Neilan
Marshall Ambrose Neilan was an American motion picture actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer.-Early life:...
.
Theodora Morse died in White Plains, NY.
Selected works
- Hail, Hail, the Gang's All HereHail, Hail, the Gang's All Here"Hail, hail, the gang's all here" is the popular refrain from the 1915 American song, "Alabama Jubilee" made famous by Fred Astaire.The lyrics were written by D. A. Esrom to a tune originally written by Arthur Sullivan for the 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance...
(1917) - Three O'Clock in the MorningThree O'Clock in the Morning"Three O’clock in the Morning" is a popular good-night waltz.The lyrics were written by Theodora Morse to music written by Julian Robledo. The song was recorded in 1922 by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra...
(1921) - Wonderful OneWonderful One"Wonderful One" is a popular song recorded by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on January 25, 1923 in New York and was released as Victor 19019-B. The record reached no. 3 on the Billboard chart....
(1922)