This story was first published in The Bristol Press, Bristol, 
Connecticut, circa 1955.  Reprinted in "Remember That Song", 
Vol. 19 No. 1, January 2000.  Copyright by Bob Harrington, 
Terryville CT; reprinted in MMD with the kind permission of 
the author.

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The Hit Song That Almost Didn't Happen
by Bob Harrington

   Back a long time ago when I was in my 20's, I was the emcee for the
Sunday Jazz Concerts held at the famous Matarese Circle, a supper club
just outside Hartford, CT.  It was famous because for each concert we
would bring up a name musician from New York -- starts such as "Hot
Lips" Page, Sidney Bechet, Miff Mole and so on.

   One Sunday, the late (and great) Jack Teagarden, who was the star
of the show that day, brought along an old friend just for the company.
He introduced me to the friend whose name was J. Russel Robinson.
At first the name didn't register.  Then, suddenly it hit!  Sure, he
was the great songwriter from long ago.

   In a short time I obtained a pad and pencil and began interviewing
him.  And what a story he had to tell!  Here now, J. Russel Robinson
speaks:

   "In the spring of 1919 The Original Dixieland Jazz Band was going
to England.  But there was a hitch in their plans.  Henry Ragas, the
piano player, who had a great fear of ocean voyage, refused to go.
There was a hurrying about to find a pianist who could play like Ragas,
but, like Ragas, could not read music.  I had heard about the trip to
England, wanted very much to go, so I pretended that I could not read
music, and got the job.

   "About the second or third day at sea, I got an idea for a song.
Having nothing to write on, I opened a pack of cigarettes, smoothed
out the wrapper and on the inside, I drew some staffs and started
putting down some notes.

   "In about an hour or so I had it.  Just the notes that should make
a good song.  Still, I wasn't too sure.  The melody came too easily
and for a moment or two, I was tempted to crumple it up and throw it
overboard.  Most fortunately, I didn't

   "When I arrived in England, I mailed that wrapper back to Benny
Davis, my lyricist.  In 1920 when we returned to the United States,
a band was on the docks to greet us and, surprise of surprises, the
song that I had written on the way to England filled the air.  I was
soon to learn that the name of the song was "Margie", a song that had
swept the country and was so popular that it would last for years and
years.

  "That very song put me on easy street.  Oh sure, I had written
other songs such as "Mary Lou", "Singin' The Blues", "Blue Eyed Sally",
"Hello Sweetheart, Hello", "Memphis Blues", and "The Original Dixieland
One Step", but none hit like "Margie".  Why even today the song is
still a favorite at sing-alongs, club gatherings and other similar
events."

   At this point Jack Teagarden came into the foyer where we were
sitting and asked Robinson if he would like to sit it.  J. Russel was
happy to oblige.  The interview was finished, so we walked together to
the bandstand.  I introduced Mr. Robinson, and told the audience about
the many songs he had written, including "Margie", and that we were
about to be treated to his great hit right now.  When the number came
to an end, Robinson stood up and received a rousing, standing ovation.

   All for some notes on a cigarette wrapper.

Bob Harrington - "The Tap Dancing Mortician"
358 Main St., Terryville, CT 06786

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"Remember That Song" (RTS), a monthly newsletter about the fun of
collecting sheet music and the songs within, is published by Lois
Cordrey <rtslois@aol.com>, 5623 N. 64th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301,
tel. 623-931-2835; subscription $18 per year for 12 issues.

Mr. Harrington enjoys writing about old-time pop music and show
business in general, and is a frequent contributor to RTS.

Robbie Rhodes