Charles B. Lawlor
Lawlor (June 2, 1852 – May 31, 1925) was an American vaudeville performer and composer of popular songs. He was born in Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 1869. Lawlor is primarily remembered today as the composer of the 1894 song, "The Sidewalks of New York," a song for which he wrote the melody.
Also recorded as Charles Lawlor · Chas. B. Lawlor · C. B. Lawlor
Charles B. Lawlor
![* Collective cover, border design by Starmer. Former owner's signature on cover at top right: Anna Lally. Statement of responsibility: [words and music by Chas. B. Lawlor and James W. Blake].](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1166786%29.jpg/1280px-Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1166786%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
Scan by NYPL · Public domain
- Name
- Charles B.
- Birthplace
- Dublin, Ireland
- Born
- 2 June 1852
- Place of death
- New York City, New York, United States
- Died
- 31 May 1925
- Occupation
- Songwriter
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- popular
- Known for
- The Sidewalks of New York
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wikidata · Q5075314 · wikipedia · Charles B. Lawlor
In this article
Biography
Biography
The lyrics are by James W. Blake (23 September 1862 – 24 May 1935). Although the song was popular immediately after it was written, Lawlor, as well as the lyricist, Blake, rose to renewed prominence when the song became the theme song of the 1928 Democratic presidential candidate, Alfred E. Lawlor was part of a vaudeville team with songwriter and performer James Thornton. Lawlor's other compositions include: "You’re the Best Little Girl of Them All", "Irish Liberty", "Pretty Peggy", and "The Mick Who Threw the Brick".
![* Collective cover, border design by Starmer. Former owner's signature on cover at top right: Anna Lally. Statement of responsibility: [words and music by Chas. B. Lawlor and James W. Blake].](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1822564%29.jpg/1280px-Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1822564%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
* Collective cover, border design by Starmer. Former owner's signature on cover at top right: Anna Lally. Statement of responsibility: [words and music by Chas. B. Lawlor and James W. Blake].
Scan by NYPL
![* Collective cover, border design by Starmer. Former owner's signature on cover at top right: Anna Lally. Statement of responsibility: [words and music by Chas. B. Lawlor and James W. Blake].](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1822565%29.jpg/1280px-Sidewalks_of_New_York_%28NYPL_Hades-454371-1822565%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
* Collective cover, border design by Starmer. Former owner's signature on cover at top right: Anna Lally. Statement of responsibility: [words and music by Chas. B. Lawlor and James W. Blake].
Scan by NYPL
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Charles B. Lawlor • Birthplace — Dublin, Ireland • Born — 2 June 1852 • Place of death — New York City, New York, United States • Died — 31 May 1925 • Genre — Popular music • Occupation — Songwriter • Years Active — c.1870–1925
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Dublin.
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New York City.
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Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Charles B. Lawlor, revision 1352032552 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 02 September 2026.
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