Shuffle Along

Eubie Blake (1883-1983), music
Nobel Sissle (1889-1975), lyrics
Shuffle Along
Sheet music
Music Division
Copyright deposit, 1921 (155.3b)

"I'm Just Wild About Harry"
Libretto
Music Division
Copyright deposit, 1921 (155.3a)

Shuffle Along, which opened on May 23, 1921, was the first Broadway musical written, produced, and performed by African Americans. Shuffle Along ran for more than 500 performances and included in its cast Josephine Baker, Ethel Waters, and Paul Robeson. The show was such a success that it was performed by three different touring companies, breaking barriers for African Americans across the country. "I'm Just Wild About Harry," was the hit of the show. President Harry S. Truman adopted the tune as his campaign song during his 1948 bid for re-election.