Harry Tally 'Can't You See I'm Lonely?' (composer Harry Armstrong) The Wizard of Oz

Harry Tally sings "Can't You See I'm Lonely?" (by composer Harry Armstrong) on Columbia Phonograph Co.32946. The company would soon give up announcements at the start of recordings.

This song featured in The Wizard of Oz is by Felix Feist (lyrics) and Harry Armstrong (music).

Today has been a sad one.
I've been all alone.
It might have been a glad one--
Nothing to atone.
One thing did grieve me--
Honest believe me!
I've been sad at heart.
It's just a year I had a dear,
But now we're far apart.
So listen while I plead--
It's company I need.

Can't you see I'm lonely,
Lonely as can be?
For I want you only.
There's no one else for me,
And you know it!
Sometimes, dear, I wonder,
Why you keep away,
Leaving me so lonely,
Lonely night and day.

You see, I don't mind telling,
What has made me blue.
My soul with love is swelling,
Love that's all for you.
Cupid has found it,
You're all around it,
Say that you'll be mine;
And if you do, I promise you,
I never more will pine.
So please don't go away,
I'm sad that's why I say.

Harry Tally was born on June 30, 1866.

The tenor was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Fletcher E. and Marcella Tally (possibly "Talley").

He was a member of the Empire City Quartet. As a solo artist that he made many recordings, probably beginning with Columbia in late 1902. It seems he was exclusive to Columbia for several months.

He was versatile, covering all types of popular song, from sentimental to comic. In announcing the release of "Honeymooning" on cylinder 33299, Columbia's January 1909 supplement states, "Mr. Tally has a flexible vibrant tenor voice which he handles in an exceptionally skillful manner."

He was the first Columbia artist to cut "Mister Dooley" from A Chinese Honeymoon. It was issued on seven-inch 876. Dan Quinn cut the song for Victor on July 10, 1902. Tally's version is from late 1902.

He recorded "Pinky Panky Poo" for Columbia (this song was cut by banjoist Vess L. Ossman for Victor in February 1903). The lowest numbered Columbia disc to feature a Tally performance is "Love Me, Phoebe, Love Me." Tally's version was released on ten-inch 203; Harry Macdonough had cut it earlier for seven-inch 203. Whether Tally cut the ten-inch version in 1902 or 1903 is unknown.

He later worked for Victor and its subsidiary label Zon-o-phone, American, U-S Everlasting, Leeds & Catlin, and others.

He made three Edison two-minute cylinders. Announcing for September release his Edison debut, "My Little Coney Isle" (Standard 8483), the August 1903 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly identifies the singer as Harry L. Tally. A second title was issued in October 1903: "There's Music In The Air" (8518)--this time he is "Harry L. Talley." A year later, the October 1904 Edison trade journal listed a third item, "Seminole" (8808) as sung by "Harry Tally." He cut the popular "Seminole" for Victor and Columbia as well.

A decade later he made five Diamond Discs with Harry Mayo, the bass of the Empire City Quartet. The November 1916 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly reports that the two formed a team "to render tenor and bass duets, which have proved highly popular features of their programs," which suggests that the vaudeville quartet had broken up. Three of the five titles were also issued on Blue Amberol. A title issued on Diamond Disc 50394 and later, in December 1916, on Blue Amberol 3012 is "I Was Never Nearer Heaven In My Life." It would be their last Diamond Disc and last Blue Amberol.

He made his Victor debut on July 1, 1904, with three titles. He returned on July 18, 19, and 20. Perhaps his most popular Victor disc of 1904 was "Mandy, Won't You Be My Beau?" (2934). Also popular was Van Alstyne's "Why Don't You Try?" from the show The Belle of Avenue A (Victor 4593; 1905). Other Victor numbers include "Egypt" (4148, 1904), "Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie" (4551, 1906), and "Let's Go Into a Picture Show" (16283)--the first record to refer to motion pictures?

He made records for some small companies, including Leeds & Catlin.

In the summer of 1905 Tally cut numbers from The Ham Tree, a revue starring the blackface comic team of James McIntyre and Thomas K. Heath, known as McIntyre and Heath. The fact that Tally cut three numbers from the show--all written by the composing team of Jean Schwartz and William Jerome--suggests he performed in it when it opened on August 28 in New York City (for two seasons a young W. C. Fields performed a juggling act in the show).

His final performance for Victor, "My Bonnie Blue Bell," was issued on 16689 in January 1911. His last for Columbia, "Come, Josephine, in My Flying Machine," was issued on A966 around this time. Neither sold well.

He made one Pathé record, "Come Back, Let's Be Sweethearts Once More" (20082), issued in December 1916. He recorded the Charles K. Harris number for Edison around this time but it was rejected.