Music

• "On The Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" (1897)

  Composed by Dreiser’s’ brother Paul Dresser, “On the Banks of the Wabash” became the Indiana state song. Theodore Dreiser himself claimed to have written part of the lyrics. For a discussion of this, see On the Banks of the Wabash: The Life and Music of Paul Dresser, by Clayton W. Henderson (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2003). See also “ 'On the Banks of the Wabash': A Musical Whodunit," by Richard W. Dowell, in Indiana Magazine of History 66 (June 1970) and “Collaborating on ‘The Banks of the Wabash’: A Brief History of an Interdisciplinary Debate, Some New Evidence, and a Reflexive Consideration of Turf and Ownership,” by Carol S. Loranger and Dennis Loranger in Dreiser Studies 30.1 (1999).

  “On the banks of the Wabash, far away 'Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields' .” Composed by Paul Dresser. Performed by Sir Thomas Allen, baritone; Malcolm Martineau, piano. From the album "Songs my father taught me" (Hyperion Records, 2002). Used with permission of Hyperion Records. More information about this album is available here.

  Downloading this music without the express permission Hyperion Records is prohibited.

• My Gal Sal; or, They Called Her Frivolous Sal” (1905)

  Composed by Dreiser’s brother Paul Dresser, this song did not become a hit until after Paul’s death in 1906. The song is about Annie Brace (alias Sallie Walker), an Evansville, Indiana madam who was Paul Dresser’s paramour. “My Gal Sal” is also the title of a 1942 film produced by Twentieth Century-Fox that was based on Paul Dresser’s life and which draws loosely on Theodore Dreiser’s affectionate memoir “My Brother Paul” in Dreiser’s Twelve Men.

  “My Gal Sal.” Composed by Paul Dresser. Performed by Joan Morris, mezzo; William Bolcom, piano. From the album Moonlight Bay (Albany Records, catalogue # TROY318). Used with permission of Albany Records. More information about this album is available here.

  Downloading of this music without the permission of Albany Records is prohibited.