Barclay Walker

Barclay Walker (b. 1859 – d. 1927) – Songwriter and composer. Indiana-born Barclay Walker wrote popular songs that were published over a number of decades (as early as “Your Uncle Did the Rest,” 1894 by Oliver Ditson). At times, he wrote in collaboration with his daughter Mary Josephine Wolff. Among his songs is the million-copy seller “Long Boy (So Long),” published by Shapiro and Bernstein in 1917. A novelty song about a young soldier leaving his home to fight in WWI, “Long Boy (So Long)” included famous cover art depicting the song’s premise as well as the inscription “Good Bye Ma! Good Bye Pa! Good Bye Mule!” In addition, the song was written at the request of General Edward F. Grimm, commander at Fort Harrison (where the song was first performed). Before long, American, British, and French soldiers were marching to Walker’s popular tune. Walker also composed more serious works; according to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Opera performed Magnanon by Walker, who was described in the Indy newspapers as “a local composer.” As noted in Indiana Composers, Native and Adopted (Indiana University, 1936), he taught piano in Indianapolis for several years.