I'd rather be a lobster than a wise guy: Historical Recording and Credits

I'd rather be a lobster than a wise guy: Catalogue date: 1907-12-31. Original format: Sound recording. Genre: Humorous songs.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team•Updated September 29, 2026•2 min read•✓ Fact-checked

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Catalogue description

Victor 16036. Matrix/Take: B-4987/00.

Male vocal solo, with orchestra

Recording and performance details

Catalogue date: 1907-12-31
Original format: Sound recording
Genre: Humorous songs
Language: English
Location as catalogued: Camden, New Jersey [unconfirmed]
Collection: National Jukebox
Repository: Recorded Sound Section, Library Of Congress
Record label: Victor
Catalogue number: 16036
Matrix number: B-4987 (Matrix ID)
Take number: 00
Disc size: 10-inch
Performance type: Vocal
Catalogue subjects: Humorous songs; Vocal; Victor
Named contributors: Murray, Billy — Vocalist -- Tenor Vocal; Madden, Edward — Lyricist; Morse, Theodore F. — Composer

Sources and reuse

This guide reorganizes bibliographic facts and catalogue descriptions from the Library of Congress National Jukebox data package, a published snapshot documented in 2024. The original item record identifies the source material. Audio, films, scores and full-text works are linked through the original record rather than reproduced here.