Albert Gamse

Albert Gamse Bronx, NY 1956

Albert Gamse (pronounced Gams-ee) (1901 – 1974) was an American lyricist.

Albert Gamse was born in Latvia to a Jewish family and later emigrated to the United States, settling in the Bronx, NY, where he spent most of his life. In 1953, he moved into the basement apartment of a two-family house on Corsa Avenue, owned by his first cousin, Lydia Heymanson Flax. After Lydia's husband, William, died unexpectedly in 1953, Albert moved in to help support Lydia, her five children, and her sister, Rebecca "Joan" Heymanson. Lydia's children affectionately called him "Uncle Albert." Known for his brilliance, kindness, and generosity, Albert, who never married, was a devoted New York Times crossword enthusiast, solving the puzzles regularly.

Gamse was a lyricist for songs that were sung by Dinah Shore, Desi Arnaz and Xavier Cugat, among others.

Gamse wrote lyrics for the Presidential Anthem of the United States, "Hail to the Chief".^[1]

Notable songs

• Helen-Polka (with Walt Dana and Jimmy Carroll)
• Amapola^[2]
• "Chantez, Chantez" (with Irving Fields)^[3]
• La Raspa (song, with Harold Grant)^[4]
• Managua, Nicaragua (with Irving Fields)^[2]
• Miami Beach Rhumba (with Irving Fields)^[5]
• Something New from Mr. Saturday Night (with Nilo Menéndez, performed by Benny Goodman)^[6]
• Yours (Quiéreme Mucho) (with Jack Sherr)^[7]

Books

World's Favorite Sing Along Songs of the Gay Nineties^[8]

References

1. Watts, Linda S. (2006). Encyclopedia of American Folklore. Infobase Publishing. pp. 215–. ISBN 978-1-4381-2979-2. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
2. "Dana Invades Kidisk Field". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 29 May 1948. p. 38–. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
3. Lonergan, David F. (2005). Hit Records: 1950-1975. Scarecrow Press. pp. 31–. ISBN 978-0-8108-5129-0. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
4. "Viva españa and Mexico". University of Chicago. 2007.
5. Berger, Joseph (August 23, 2016). "Irving Fields, Composer Who Infused Songs With Latin Rhythms, Dies at 101 (Published 2016)". The New York Times.
6. "Mr. Saturday Night (1992)". American Film Institute.
7. Drake, Howard (2007). "Songs written by Albert Gamse". Music VF.
8. Cazden, Norman; Haufrecht, Herbert; Studer, Norman (January 1, 1982). Folk Songs of the Catskills. SUNY Press. p. 539. ISBN 978-0-87395-580-5.