Theodora Morse

Theodora Morse (July 11, 1883 - November 10, 1953) was an American song writer and composer. She was a Tin Pan Alley lyricist who collaborated to produce a number of popular songs.

Background

Alfreda Theodora Strandberg was born in Brooklyn, New York. On March 7, 1907, she married Theodore F. Morse (1873–1924). She and her husband became a successful songwriting team for Tin Pan Alley. Listed as Terriss & Morse, they were one of the earliest Tin Pan Alley husband-wife songwriting teams. ^[1]

Career

Theodora not only wrote with her husband, but also collaborated with other composers. Professionally, she often used the pseudonyms of Dorothy Terriss, Dolly Morse and D. A. Esrom. She wrote the lyrics for Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here to a tune originally written by Arthur Sullivan for the comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. Popular good-night waltz Three O'Clock in the Morning was written to music written by Julian Robledo. The song was recorded in 1922 by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. Jazz and pop standard, Wonderful One, was written by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé, with lyrics by Theodora Morse based on a theme by movie director Marshall Neilan. ^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Theodora Morse died in White Plains, NY.^[7]

Selected works

• Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here (1917)
• Three O'Clock in the Morning (1921)
• Wonderful One (1922)

References

1. ^ Dorothy Terriss (lyricist)
2. ^ D. A. Esrom (lyricist)
3. ^ Dolly Morse (composer)
4. ^ Women In American Music, Page 2
5. ^ Biography for Dolly Morse More at IMDbPro
6. ^ Women In American Music. The Parlor Songs Association, Inc.
7. ^ Time Magazine. Nov. 23, 1953

External links

• The Composers of Tin Pan Alley

Persondata
Name	Morse, Theodora
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1890
Place of birth
Date of death	November 10, 1953
Place of death