Lawyers Mourn the Death of Earle Hagen

Earle Hagen was, I am sure, a good client for his intellectual property lawyer, but lawyers everywhere are mourning his death earlier this week. Mr. Hagen, unknown to most of us by name, is the composer and whistler of the theme song to The Andy Griffith Show, a comedy icon from the childhood of baby-boom lawyers and beyond.  The simple, happy-go-lucky song takes us back to a time and place in America when the local sheriff was the law and prisoners had spare keys.  Whenever I hear it, it soothes the spirit and evokes images of a lazy summer afternoon. I highly recommend a dose of the song whenever the trials and tribulations of the practice of law get you down. Better yet, take a break and watch an episode to hear the song and watch the comedic talents of Andy Taylor and Barney Fife.  Also good for the soul!

The song, titled The Fishing Hole, according to this article, was written by Hagen in less than an hour. I sure hope he wasn't billing by the hour.

In addition to The Fishing Hole, Hagen also penned the theme songs to I Spy, Gomer Pyle, USMC, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.  Hagen had other notable musical accomplishments, but none, in my eyes, so memorable as these.

Thanks, Mr. Hagen!