This is the list of songs by Robert Watson "Bob" Schmertz (March 4, 1898 – June 7, 1975). These printed and published songs are part of the Robert Schmertz Collection which is housed in the Archives Service Center, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. These printed versions are available for academic, historical research and genealogy studies. The University provides access without charge.[1] Schmertz was born in Pittsburgh and attended college there. He wrote the Carnegie Tartans' fight song "Fight for the Glory of Carnegie," and played the banjo.[2] He graduated in 1921 and then taught at the college until his retirement.[2] Many of his songs were based upon historical events that occurred in Western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, and the city of Pittsburgh.
Before his death on June 7, 1975, he completed a book of his songs, but it wasn't published until after his death. This is the list of songs and manuscripts written by Robert Schmertz. Most of the originals held in the University of Pittsburgh archives are written in his own hand.
| Song | Archive call reference |
Pages | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardvark | box 3, folder 9 | one | music manuscript |
| Chandu | box 3, folder 10 | four | Ink on paper, written with Matthew W. Frey |
| Cousin Althea | box 3, folder 9 | one | music manuscript |
| Dogwood Hollow | box 3, folder 12 | one | music manuscript |
| My Sweetheart Wears the Plaid | box 3, folder 12 | three | music manuscript |
| My Wild Irish Rose is Wilder than She Used to Be | box 3 folder 14 | three | music manuscript-Words by Robert Schmertz. Music by Robert Schmertz and Adolph Herzberg. |
| Dumbella 1st violin arrangement | box 3, folder 17 | one | music manuscript |
| If you Would be a Sailor's Wife arranged for 1st violin | box 3, folder 18 | one | music manuscript arranged by J.L. Rosen. |
| In Barcelona 1st violin | box 3, folder 19 | one | music manuscript |
| Nicest Girl arranged for 1st violin | box 3, folder 20 | two | music manuscript |
| Old Place arranged for 1st violin | box 3, folder 21 | one | music manuscript |
| Celoran | - | one | this song was published in 1959 by Folkways Records and Service Corp., NYC, USA[3] |
| Ohio Company | box 89, folder 27 | four | music pages, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| Ship Ahoy | box 3, folder 22 | two | music manuscript, arranged for violin. |
| Moonlight Maid | Box 3, Folder 23i | one | music manuscript for 1st violin |
| 49 Angels | Box 3,Folder 24 | two | music manuscript |
| Braddock's Defeat | Box 3,folder 25 | two | music manuscript, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| Flintlock Finnegan | Box 3, Folder 26 | two | music manuscript, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| Never Touch Water; Never Touch Water (front) Dogwood Hollow (back) | Box 3, Folder 28 ; Box 3, Folder 29 | two | music manuscript, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| Piney Mountain | Box 3, Folder 30 | two | music manuscript, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| Prettiest Girl in Pittsburgh Town | Box 3, Folder 31 | two | music manuscript, arranged by Frank C. Jarema. |
| No One I Care For But You | Box 3, Folder 32 | two | flute arrangement, music manuscript. |
| Open the Doors of Delight | Box 3, Folder 33 | four | music manuscript, words by Robert Schmertz, music by Robert Schmertz and Adolph Herzberg. |
| There's No One I Care for But You | Box 3, Folder 34 | two | music manuscript, arranged for 1st violin, arranged by J.L. Rosen. |
| Davy Jones | Box 3, Folder 35 | two | music manuscript for flute, arranged by J.L. Rosen. |
| Dumbella | Box 3 Folder 36 | one | music manuscript arranged for flute. |
| In Barcelona | Box 3, Folder 37 | one | music manuscript arranged for flute |
| Nicest Girl | Box 3, Folder 38 | one | music manuscript. |
| Old Place | Box 3, Folder 39 | one | music manuscript arranged for flute |
| Ship Ahoy | Box 3, Folder 40 | two | music manuscript, arranged by J.L. Rosen. |
| Toreador | Box 3, Folder 41 | three | music manuscript arranged for flute |
References
edit- ^ Swetnam, George (October 1975). "Historical Society Notes and Documents: Robert Watson Schmertz". The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine. 54 (4): 537–538.
- ^ a b "Composer, Architect Entertains Avon Club". News Record. October 27–28, 1973. p. 11.
- ^ "Linear notes" (PDF). smithsonianfolkways.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
