[Dixielandjazz] little lost song........

[Bill Haesler]

Ginny wrote:
> There is a Harry Herschel tune, "Torch" (When You Carry the) that  
> features
> that line "When the gang's all gone home".  I have a more or less  
> correct lead
> sheet of Torch.

Dear Ginny and others (Ladies first - always),
The song is called variously:
The Torch That Didn't Go Out
The Kansas City Torch
The Torch of Kansas City
When You Carry The Torch
and was, allegedly, taught to Turk Murphy by Patsy Patton (cabaret  
singer and wife of banjo player Pat Patton. We know him from when he  
came to Sydney on the Matson Line ships).
The first 'jazz' version was recorded by Turk Murphy for a Columbia LP  
on 19 Jan 1953.
The notes by George Avakian to that 'Barrelhouse Jazz' LP says that  
Turk came to it from the Castle Jazz Band (who recorded it later in  
Aug 1957) via Don Kinch and Bob Short, ex Castle band members.

It was composed (music and lyrics) in 1928 by the great Harry Warren  
(we all know him) using the name Harry Herschel and originally  
published by Robbins Music Corp.

WHEN YOU CARRY THE TORCH
[Verse]:When the gang has turned you down,
And you wander 'round the town,
Longing for someone in sympathy.
As you go from place to place,
Looking for some friendly face,
You can hear the old town clock strike three;
Then you wish you had your old gal back again.
You're lonesome, oh, so lonesome,
And your poor hear cries in vain:

[Chorus]:
Oh, gee, but it's tough,
When the gang's gone home;
Out on the corner,
You stand alone;
You feel so blue
With nothing to do;
You're cravin' someone's company.
The gang leaves you there
With an old time stall,
While you go home and gaze
At the four bare walls.
Ev'ry tear seems to scorch,
When you carry the torch
And the gang's gone home.

[2nd Verse]:
When you haven't got a friend,
And your worries never end,
When the future doesn't look so bright.
As you sit there in the gloom
Of an empty silent room,
As the hallway clock ticks through the night,
Then you long to hear a knock upon your door.
You're weary, oh, so dreary,
And your poor heart cries once more:

[Chorus]

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