Alan Rattray

Alan MacKenzie Rattray was a lyricist, composer and arranger of music. Born in Concord, Sydney in 1878, Rattray was the son of pioneer capitalists George Allan and Catherine (Beames) Rattray.

Rattray was a prolific lyricist and arranger, often collaborating with fellow Australian composers Edward Henry Tyrrell and Louis L. Howarde. Rattray is best known for the song "Boy in the Sailor Cap" which was the subject of a copyright claim

He survived a shipwreck while on tour to India. Rattray was critical of Australian war time rationing, writing poetical polemics in the papers of the time.

He died of pneumonic influenza at a temporary emergency hospital within the grounds of the Royal Agricultural Society in Moore Park, Sydney during the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic.

Works Boy in the Sailor Cap The Old Gum Tree performed most famously by Marie Eaton. On the Briny Jack Tar 1908 Pansy Leaf Somebody's Sweetheart My Black Canary She's somebody's sweetheart still – words by Alan M. Rattray; the music by Alan M. Rattray & Clarence Vaughan Oh! Angeline! – written by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan What would be a paradise to me – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Alan M. Rattray and Clarence Vaughan Where the moonbeams bathe the fields in silver light – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan Comic song: I'm not a long way off – written by Alan M. Rattray; composed by A.M.R., Clarence Vaughan We only live just to love – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan A girl of the very best – music by Alan Rattray & Clarence Vaughan My heart keeps ever calling for her, still – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Alan M. Rattray The girl in the Strand – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan Sneezing song: Ah-h-did-did-did-ah-kshoo!!! – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan Only a little boy – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan My maid of Tyrol – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by AMR & Clarence Vaughan Suzanne! – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan When my sweetheart answered yes – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by AMR & Clarence Vaughan Comic song: Joints – written by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan Comic song: Kickin' up a fuss like that! – written by Alan M. Rattray; composed by Clarence Vaughan The idol of Cassidy's ball – words by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Clarence Vaughan Sister! – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan Then he began to think – words by Aln M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan My first and only love – words by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Clarence Vaughan I wonder what they mean by that – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by AMR & Clarence Vaughan That's French! – words by Alan Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan My Sunday boy – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by A.M.R. & Clarence Vaughan Comic duet: Think o' that! – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Benj. H. Burt The way they love – written and composed by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde Miss Penelope – words by Alan M. Rattray; music by Clarence Vaughan If your love were real – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde Comic song: What a pity – written and composed by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by L. L. Howarde Love in all What does it matter when two – Alan M. Rattray & Clarence Vaughan Little Grey Eyes – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by L. L. Howarde I'm so tired of waiting for you – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by L. L. Howarde Laughing answers – written by Alan M. Rattray; composed & arranged by Alan M. Rattray & L. L. Howarde Lavinia : schottische – composed by Alan M. Rattray. Dear old dad – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by L.L. Howarde Ambolene, ma Kaffir queen – words & music by Alan M. Rattray Coster song: Sal – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde The boy in the sailor cap – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde Mabel – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde I'm such a tomboy – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; (arr. by Louis L. Howarde) Eily – words and music by Alan M. Rattray (arranged by Louis L. Howarde) Schottische – Comic song: I don't care – written and composed by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by L.L. Howarde Jack Tar – words and music by Alan M. Rattray; arranged by Louis L. Howarde Gymnastic scena: The girls from Sandow's school – written by Alan M. Rattray; composed by Alan M. Rattray and Lou. L. Howarde False as accused – written and composed by Alan Rattray & Tom Donnelly It only makes me love you more and more – words and music by Alan M. Rattray

Recordings 1905: "Sister"