Birth of a Song

From ASCAP Files by Joseph R.Fliesher and Paul Carruth

“Under the Bamboo Tree”

By James Weldon Johnson, J. Rosamond Johnson and Bob Cole

The recent tragic death of James Weldon Johnson separated brothers, who had been composing songs for two generations. The elder was, besides, a outstanding lecturer and leader of his race.

They were born in Jacksonville, Florida, educated in Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga. J. Rosamond went to Boston to study music, James Weldon became principal of the Stanton School in Jacksonville.

The summer of 1899, they left for New York City to interest producers in some songs they had written. They were taken up by many celebrities, including the famous vaudeville performer, Bob Cole.

They soon formed a partnership with him and created many songs and frequently made the rounds together.

J. Rosamond: “Nobdy knows de trouble I see… Nobody Knows bu–”

Bob Cole: “Say! That's just the tune we need for our new act”

J. Rosamond: “No you don't, Bob. That's a sacred song. It's not for Vaudeville”

Walking up lower Broadway, J. Rosamond hummed a negro spiritual, and Bob Cole was quick to see that it had popular possibilities.

Bob Cole: “What! You been to the best music schools and you can't change little old tune around?”

Publisher: “I don't like your title. Let's call it “Under the Bamboo Tree””

They wrote the song, but the publisher didn't like it, and kept it in a drawer until Marie Cahill sang it to success.

The Johnson's and Cole were the songwriting sensations of the world in first decade of the century.

When the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers was formed in 1914 the bothers were able to protect their copyrighted songs against infringement by commerical users of music.

Under the Bamboo Tree, Birth of a Song from ASCAP Files by Joseph R.Fliesher and Paul Carruth The St. Paul Recorder, St.Paul Minn., Vol. 4 No. 49, Page 5, Friday, July 22 1938.(PDF)