1910's The Arts | "Mandy"

Song

By: Irving Berlin

Date: 1919

Source: Berlin, Irving. "Mandy: Ziegfeld Follies of 1919." Irving Berlin, Inc. Historic American Sheet Music: 1910–1920. Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.

About the Artist: Irving Berlin (1888–1989) was born in Mohilev, Russia. His birth name was Israel Baline. He moved to the United States with his parents and five older siblings in 1893. Young Israel dropped out of school at age 13, and even though he had no musical training, he became a successful street entertainer. In 1907, he was asked to collaborate with a café pianist and published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy." At the same time he adopted a new name, Irving Berlin. Although he did not read or write music, Berlin became a sought-after composer for Tin Pan Alley (as the sheet music publishing business was...