This week we recognize what would have been President William Taft’s 154th birthday by delving into the Library’s digitized collection of Presidential Campaign Songs. Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909-1913. Note that this week’s Sheet Music of the Week, “President Taft, He’s All Right” with words and music by W.J. Applegate and Julian Thoré, was published in 1912. The song was clearly published in support of President Taft’s re-election. Although Taft beat out Theodore Roosevelt for the Republican Party nomination, Roosevelt created the “Progressive Party” (or the “Bull Moose” Party), splitting the Republican vote – take a look at the “Bull Moose” campaign song, “Triplicity, or Donkey, MOOSE, or Elephant.”
In the end, the Republican split assured the Democrats a victory and Woodrow Wilson won the Presidential election of 1912. The Library’s collection of Presidential campaign songs documents a fascinating account of American political history through art and song – check out what other presidents are represented in our online collection!
Comments (4)
I am 95 yeas old. I recently discovered sheet music written by my grandfather in 1909 for President Taft. It’s entitled Taft March From Home to the Capitol. He also played chamber music at President Wilsons inauguation at the White House. Do you have any record of this or possible audio? Also do you have any suggestions as possible sale or museum for it and restoration recommendation. Thanks for you kind attention.
Mrs. Schlansky – reference questions like yours should be e-mailed to our reference staff via our Ask A Librarian reference service at //www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-perform.html. After you submit your question, a reference librarian will get back to you!
I’m Ken from Minnesota. My grandfather, Rudy Stepan was a band director in Le Center, MN from 1915-1930. He wrote a March called President Taft March. It is written for Solo b Cornet. I can email you the sheet music for your review if interested. I don’t know if he copywrited it. Thank you.
Hi, Ken – thanks for the comment. This sounds like a question for one of our reference librarians. If you’d like to start a conversation with a librarian, send an e-mail in to us using the Ask A Librarian reference service (//www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-perform2.html).