Between You And Me

by Harry Lauder

Sir Henry Lauder (1870 - 1950) was a notable Scottish entertainer, described by Sir Winston Churchill as "Scotland's greatest ever ambassador. Lauder first appeared in his music-hall career as an Irish comedian. He toured the world extensively during his forty-year career, including 22 trips to the United States. During World War I he was active in fund raising and touring music halls helping with recruitment. Lauder wrote many popular songs, performed in three movies and wrote a number of books. His books include a number of books which ran into several editions, including Harry Lauder at Home and on Tour (1912), A Minstrel in France (1918), Between You and Me (1919), and Roamin' in the Gloamin' (1928).

Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Sir Henry Lauder was a Scottish singer and comedian popular in both music hall and vaudeville theatre traditions; he achieved international success.

He became a familiar worldwide figure deploying his kilt and cromach (walking stick) as icons of Scottishness to huge acclaim, especially in America. Among his most popular songs were "Roamin' in the Gloamin'", "A Wee Deoch-an-Doris", "The End of the Road" and, a particularly big hit for him, "I Love a Lassie".

Lauder's understanding of life, its pathos and joys, earned him his popularity. Beniamino Gigli commended his singing voice and clarity. Lauder usually performed in full Highland regalia - kilt, sporran, tam o' shanter, and twisted walking stick, and sang Scottish-themed songs.

By 1911 Lauder had become the highest-paid performer in the world, and was the first British artist to sell a million records; by 1928 he had sold double that. He raised vast amounts of money for the war effort during the First World War, for which he was knighted in 1919. He went into semi-retirement in the mid-1930s, but briefly emerged to entertain troops in the Second World War. By the late 1940s he was suffering from long periods of ill-health. He died in Scotland in 1950.