Carrie Barry

Origin
Early in the first act of the 1902 Wizard of Oz, Sir Dashemoff Daily, the Poet Laureate of Oz, has fallen madly in love with Dorothy Gale, who has just arrived from Kansas. Sir Dashemoff mistakenly believes her to be Carrie Barry and has written a song for her. On discovering the song, Dorothy foolishly wastes one of the three wishes granted to her by a magical Ruby Ring she has been given by the Good Witch of the North. Suddenly Dorothy KNOWS the song and she sings it for Dashemoff. The plot at its finest!

The lyric for Carrie Barry was written by L. Frank Baum. But exactly who wrote the music is up for debate. It was either Paul Tietjens or A. Baldwin Sloane. Or possibly both. In 1902 the song was credited to Baum and Tietjens, but from 1903 on it was credited to Sloane. No sheet music for the song was ever published. This recording was prepared by James Patrick Doyle and Stefanie Lynn in 2000 for David Maxine's multi-media recreation of ACT I of the show at the Centennial Oz Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. The orchestration in this version is by James Patrick Doyle. It's a sweet song with a catchy tune. Give it a listen!

The lyrics are:

I dare not call her Caroline I think of her as Carrie. Her eyes like stars at twilight shine, And she has won this heart of mine With glances none could parry. And when she smiles a smile divine With cruelty then I task her, This dainty maid knows I'm afraid To boldly up, and ask her.

Airy, fairy, Carrie Barry, Will you marry me? I'm as much in love with you As any man can be. Night and day, for you always I pine, and pine, and pine. Airy, fairy Carrie Barry, Say, will you be mine?

And though untold, this love of mine, This love shall never vary. I'm looking for some little sign, One spoken word, one written line-- To bid me hope and tarry. And truth it is, that I opine She looks upon me coldly. That's why I fear, when she is near, To up, and ask her boldly.

Airy, fairy, Carrie Barry, Will you marry me? I'm as much in love with you As any many can be. Night and day, for you always I pine, and pine, and pine. Airy, fairy Carrie Barry, Say, will you be mine?