University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For?

Title
Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For? - Lyrics
Composer
Bellin, Betty  
Lyricist
Carey, G. H.  
Publisher
Success Music Co. (Akron, OH)  
Lyrics
Is There Anyone Can Tell Me What It’s For Verse: Just a tiny little girl of tender years Knelt beside her bed one night to pray Terrifying echoes of the dogs of war She could hear not very far away Daddy was a soldier in the army His letters told of vict’ries fought and won She knew that he was bravely fighting for his country With the heroes the men behind the guns Refrain: I don’t see why they’re fighting mother darling Why men will kill each other in the fray It makes me sad and lonely when I hear of soldiers in the trenches dying ev’ry day For there are babes who’d never see their daddy And there are homes once happy but no more Is there someone who can answer just once question, Is there any one can tell me what it’s for. Verse: Mother can you tell me the real reason why Can you tell me what it’s all about Tell me why this sorrow and this anguish too Tell me what keeps all the world in doubt Is there anyone can tell me truly Why all these awful battles must be won Can tell me why
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
Local Identifier
2014_12996_271
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/49e8fb40-c0e6-0134-2373-0050569601ca-a

Descriptive Information

Title
Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For?
Composer
Bellin, Betty  
Lyricist
Carey, G. H.  
Publisher
Success Music Co. (Akron, OH)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-02-24
Lyrics
Is There Anyone Can Tell Me What It’s For Verse: Just a tiny little girl of tender years Knelt beside her bed one night to pray Terrifying echoes of the dogs of war She could hear not very far away Daddy was a soldier in the army His letters told of vict’ries fought and won She knew that he was bravely fighting for his country With the heroes the men behind the guns Refrain: I don’t see why they’re fighting mother darling Why men will kill each other in the fray It makes me sad and lonely when I hear of soldiers in the trenches dying ev’ry day For there are babes who’d never see their daddy And there are homes once happy but no more Is there someone who can answer just once question, Is there any one can tell me what it’s for. Verse: Mother can you tell me the real reason why Can you tell me what it’s all about Tell me why this sorrow and this anguish too Tell me what keeps all the world in doubt Is there anyone can tell me truly Why all these awful battles must be won Can tell me why
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_271
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleIs There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For?
ComposerBellin, Betty  
LyricistCarey, G. H.  
PublisherSuccess Music Co. (Akron, OH)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-02-24
LyricsIs There Anyone Can Tell Me What It’s For Verse: Just a tiny little girl of tender years Knelt beside her bed one night to pray Terrifying echoes of the dogs of war She could hear not very far away Daddy was a soldier in the army His letters told of vict’ries fought and won She knew that he was bravely fighting for his country With the heroes the men behind the guns Refrain: I don’t see why they’re fighting mother darling Why men will kill each other in the fray It makes me sad and lonely when I hear of soldiers in the trenches dying ev’ry day For there are babes who’d never see their daddy And there are homes once happy but no more Is there someone who can answer just once question, Is there any one can tell me what it’s for. Verse: Mother can you tell me the real reason why Can you tell me what it’s all about Tell me why this sorrow and this anguish too Tell me what keeps all the world in doubt Is there anyone can tell me truly Why all these awful battles must be won Can tell me why
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_271
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For? - Cover
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Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For? - Back Cover
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Is There Any One Can Tell Me What It's For? - Lyrics
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