The Milkmaid's Song

A little known song
from the original 1901 version
of the Musical Extravaganza

The Wizard of Oz

Words by L. Frank Baum
Music by Paul Tietjens
Arranged and restored by
James Doyle & David Maxine

L. Frank Baum originally wrote "The Milkmaid's Song" for Dorothy to sing in the final act of his proposed 1901 musical comedy The Wizard of Oz. This version of the show was never produced. But it was later revised under Julian Mitchell's supervision and became a Broadway smash in 1903. In the song Dorothy explains why she must turn down the opportunity to stay in Oz because back home she is a different kind of royalty. Interestingly, Dorothy's cow, Imogene, was not yet a part of the show in the 1901 script. So perhaps this song is the inspiration for Dot's bovine companion.

The lyric survives in Baum's 1901 typescript and Baum was fond enough of it that he included it in his Juvenile Speaker and Baum's Own Book For Children. The actual music which was written by Paul Tietjens is not known to survive. James Doyle and David Maxine have reconstructed the song using two melodies from Tietjens 1903 Wizard of Oz score. The verse is taken from a section of the Act II Finale called Happy Maiden and the chorus is from the Act I Finale Winter Jubilation section.

You can download the sheet music in PDF format which will allow you to save it on disc or print copies for yourself. Or you can play a MIDI
of this never before heard Oz song.

MIDI copyright © 2002 by David Maxine

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