# Robert MacGimsey

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American composer (1898–1979)

**Robert Hunter MacGimsey** (1898–1979) was an American composer. His most famous song was "[Sweet Little Jesus Boy](/source/Sweet_Little_Jesus_Boy)" (1934), a well-known [Christmas carol](/source/Christmas_carol) written in the style of an [African-American spiritual](/source/African-American_spiritual).

## Early Life

Robert Hunter MacGimsey[1] was born in [Pineville, Louisiana](/source/Pineville%2C_Louisiana) to white parents. He is one of six children and his father was a Professor of Mathematics.[2] MacGimsey spent most of his formative years in the company of [African-Americans](/source/African-Americans) who lived with, and worked for and with his family. Due to their influence he wrote in an "African American" style.[3] He was often mistakenly assumed to be a black composer.[4]

MacGimsey was a whistler as a boy, teaching himself at age 5. His mother, a church choir teacher, taught him singing, violin, and the piano soon after.[5] MacGimsey sang in the church choir that his mother directed. She ensured that he received training in music, eventually studying under [Frank Damrosch](/source/Frank_Damrosch) at the [Institute of Musical Art](/source/Juilliard_School) in New York.[6]

### Law and politics

Before he became known for his musical accomplishments, MacGimsey was an attorney in [Lake Providence, Louisiana](/source/Lake_Providence%2C_Louisiana),[7] in addition to being an adviser to United States Senator [Joseph E. Ransdell](/source/Joseph_E._Ransdell)[6] from Louisiana.[8] In 1960, MacGimsey said that he was giving up music to dedicate the remainder of his life to good government.[6]

### Composing

MacGimsey is also known for the song "How Do You Do?" which was originally written for the [Walt Disney](/source/Walt_Disney) live-action musical drama *[Song of the South](/source/Song_of_the_South)*. The song is also featured in the theme-park attraction [Splash Mountain](/source/Splash_Mountain) located in [Disneyland](/source/Disneyland), [Walt Disney World](/source/Walt_Disney_World), and [Tokyo Disneyland](/source/Tokyo_Disneyland).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] MacGimsey also composed "[Shadrack](/source/Shadrack_(Robert_MacGimsey_song)),"[9] which was a 1962 hit[10] for [Brook Benton](/source/Brook_Benton) that was also recorded by [Louis Armstrong](/source/Louis_Armstrong) and many others.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 1947, [Robert Merrill](/source/Robert_Merrill) recorded a disc (Victor 10-1303) with MacGimsey's songs ("Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "To My Mother") on both sides.[11]

MacGimsey worked with singer [John Gary](/source/John_Gary), beginning with their first meeting after Gary had left the Marines. Gary made a demonstration record with four new songs by MacGimsey, and a friendship developed thereafter.[12] MacGimsey was also famous for double whistling, or whistling duets.

## Legacy

MacGimsey's library, letters and works can be found in the library archives at [Louisiana College](/source/Louisiana_College), Pineville, Louisiana.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** "A Note on Robert MacGimsey", back page of the original publication of the song Shadrack. New York: Carl Fischer, Inc., 1931

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [https://www.newspapers.com/article/adams-county-independent-robert-macgimse/26504132/](https://www.newspapers.com/article/adams-county-independent-robert-macgimse/26504132/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-is_3-0)** Wolfert, Ira (January 8, 1939). ["Politics Started Composer on Way"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26500987/robert_macgimsey/). *The Indianapolis Star*. Indiana, Indianapolis. North America Newspaper Alliance. p. 5. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [https://www.318central.com/robertmacgimseyandpineville/](https://www.318central.com/robertmacgimseyandpineville/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1940/02/10/trilloquist](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1940/02/10/trilloquist)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_6-2) Smoot, Joanne (October 13, 1960). ["Music Maker MacGimsey Moves Here"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26500448/robert_macgimsey/). *Arizona Republic*. Arizona, Phoenix. p. 11. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** McNamara, Daniel I. (April 14, 1939). ["Personalities in Music"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26504132/robert_macgimsey/). *Adams County Independent*. Pennsylvania, Littlestown. Music Features & Photo Syndicate. p. 3. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ar_8-0)** Kennedy, Sue (December 28, 1969). ["Whistling lawyer writes another"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23076796/691228phx_arizona_republicwhistling/). *Arizona Republic*. Arizona, Phoenix. p. 4-N. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Music Items"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1939/Billboard-1939-04-29.pdf) (PDF). *Billboard*. April 29, 1939. p. 14. Retrieved 25 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Honor Roll of Hits"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1962/Billboard%201962-02-17.pdf) (PDF). *Billboard*. February 17, 1962. p. 32. Retrieved 25 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Record Reviews"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1947/BB-1947-05-24.pdf) (PDF). *Billboard*. May 24, 1947. p. 126. Retrieved 25 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Reunion for MacGimsey, Gary"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23076659/650425phx_arizona_republicreunion/). *Arizona Republic*. Arizona, Phoenix. April 25, 1965. p. C-17. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

## External links

- List of recordings of Robert MacGimsey songs at [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic).com ([link 1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p100447/songs), [link 2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p308949/songs))

- List of Robert MacGimsey songs at [ASCAP](/source/ASCAP).com ([link](http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=6245400&search_in=c&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1))

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Spain Latvia Poland Israel Belgium Academics CiNii Artists MusicBrainz Discography of American Historical Recordings Other SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert MacGimsey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_MacGimsey) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_MacGimsey?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.