Harburg, Edgar Yipsel, (E. Y., “Yip”)

HARBURG, EDGAR YIPSEL, (E. Y., YIP). Famed and witty Broadway lyricist of the Golden Era who contributed to many of musical theater’s most popular songs; b. New York, New York, April 8, 1896; d. Los Angeles, California, March 5, 1981.

E. Y. Yip Harburg was perhaps Broadway’s most complex lyricist. At once outspoken, liberal, and uncompromising, Harburg was also sentimental, romantic, and humorous. He was a man of strong moral and political beliefs who felt tolerance for those whose...