Lewis F. Muir
Encyclopedia
Lewis F. Muir, born Louis Meuer (1884–1915) was an American composer
and ragtime
pianist.
Muir started as a pianist in St. Louis and played in the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. He moved to New York
in 1910. His first published composition was "Play That Barber-Shop Chord" from 1910. Vaudeville
entertainer Bert Williams
used the song in his shows. Other compositions published by Muir in 1910–1911 include "Oh, You Bear Cat Rag", "The Matrimony Rag" and "When Ragtime Rosie Ragged the Rosary".
Journalist F. Wolfe Gilbert criticized Muir's use of the Catholic rosary
in the name of a ragtime piece, which he considered sacrilegious. Muir confronted Gilbert in person and, after a heated argument, challenged Gilbert to write a song with him. The result was a romantic song called "Do You Feel It in the Air?" and "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee", the latter becoming the best-known title written by either composer.
Muir composed productively in 1912–1913 and is said to have flown to London
to play ragtime in the Oxford Theatre
. He also collaborated with Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo
. In 1914 published "Camp Meeting Band", "Buy a Bale of Cotton for Me", "I Had a Gal, I Had a Pal" and "Mooching Along". Lewis F. Muir died of tuberculosis
on 3 December 1915, at the age of 32.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
pianist.
Muir started as a pianist in St. Louis and played in the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. He moved to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1910. His first published composition was "Play That Barber-Shop Chord" from 1910. Vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
entertainer Bert Williams
Bert Williams
Egbert Austin "Bert" Williams was one of the preeminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He was by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920...
used the song in his shows. Other compositions published by Muir in 1910–1911 include "Oh, You Bear Cat Rag", "The Matrimony Rag" and "When Ragtime Rosie Ragged the Rosary".
Journalist F. Wolfe Gilbert criticized Muir's use of the Catholic rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
in the name of a ragtime piece, which he considered sacrilegious. Muir confronted Gilbert in person and, after a heated argument, challenged Gilbert to write a song with him. The result was a romantic song called "Do You Feel It in the Air?" and "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee", the latter becoming the best-known title written by either composer.
Muir composed productively in 1912–1913 and is said to have flown to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to play ragtime in the Oxford Theatre
Oxford Music Hall
Oxford Music Hall was a music hall located in Westminster, London at the corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. It was established on the site of a former public house, the Boar and Castle, by Charles Morton, in 1861. The hall was converted into a legitimate theatre in 1917, but the...
. He also collaborated with Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer. His two-act work Pagliacci remains one of the most popular works in the repertory, appearing as number 20 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide.-Biography:...
. In 1914 published "Camp Meeting Band", "Buy a Bale of Cotton for Me", "I Had a Gal, I Had a Pal" and "Mooching Along". Lewis F. Muir died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
on 3 December 1915, at the age of 32.