American Songbook Blogs

February 15, 1893: American songwriter Walter Donaldson was born on this date in 1893. Donaldson is primarily known as a composer, rather than as a lyricist, although he wrote words and music for dozens of songs. Among the big hits, he wrote both words and music were At Sundown and Little White Lies. In his prolific career, he published some 600 original songs. His legendary songs of the 1910s and 1920s include: “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree),” “The Daughter Of Rosie O’Grady,” “My Little Bimbo Down On The Bamboo Isle,” “My Mammy,” My Buddy,” “Carolina In The Morning,” “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” “(What Can I Say) After I Say I’m Sorry,” “At Sundown,” “My Blue Heaven,” “I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight,” “Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now,” “That Certain Party,” “Don’t Be Angry,” “He’s The Last Word,” “Changes,” “Thinking Of You,” “There Ain’t No Maybe In My Baby’s Eyes” and “Oh Baby!,” among hundreds of others.