University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

The items in the Digital Collections of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language. The Library condemns discrimination and hatred on any grounds. As a research library that supports the mission and values of this land grant institution, it is incumbent upon the University Library to preserve, describe, and provide access to materials to accurately document our past, support learning about it, and effect change in the present. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, we do not censor our materials or prevent patrons from accessing them.

If you have questions regarding this statement or any content in the Library’s digital collections, please contact digitalcollections@lists.illinois.edu

American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the University Library

America First

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/4a458870-c0e6-0134-2373-0050569601ca-3
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

This item is in the public domain.

Supplementary Document

Title
America First - Lyrics
Composer
Kocian, Howard  
Lyricist
Menown, John  
Publisher
Buck & Lowney (St. Louis, MO)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Local Identifier
2014_12996_024
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
America First
Composer
Kocian, Howard  
Lyricist
Menown, John  
Publisher
St. Louis : Buck & Lowney  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-05-11
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-[3], [1] p.)
Type
Musical notation  
Comment
No performances, advertisements, or recordings have been found for either edition, and there are very few surviving copies. This publication seems to have had almost no effect.
Historical Note
  • Howard Kocian has not been identified; it is likely the name was a pseudonym, possibly for Lynden S. Buchanan, the publisher.
  • "America First" was a prominent slogan in the first part of 1916, extracted from a speech by President Wilson which asked immigrant Americans to set aside their national allegiances. The dedication is consistent with the "America First" campaign, and the final line of text is a paraphrase of the Wilson quotation.
  • This is the second of two editions; the first, for piano alone and substantially longer, was copyrighted on March 7, 1916. The original cover was reprinted for the second edition, though the word “song” was added; hence Menown, who was the professional manager for Buck and Lowney, is not credited except on the interior, and the phrase "Military March" remains on the cover. The music was newly engraved. The lyric, clearly a response to America’s declaration of war, was surely written in April 1917, and the new edition rapidly made ready for publication.
Musical Note
The second edition adapts the first strain and the trio from the first edition, omitting the remainder but retaining the modulation at the trio (now the "chorus"). Formerly a march in 2/4, the piece makes idiomatic use of melodic sequence, walking bass, and occasional syncopation.
Dedication
Cover, TR, and p. 2, TC: Dedicated to all true Americans
Repository
Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Rights Description
This item is in the public domain.
Back Cover Description
Text, illustration, and sample: Blue, Just Blue (© 1916 09 29).
Local Identifier
2014_12996_024
Collection Title
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAmerica First
ComposerKocian, Howard  
LyricistMenown, John  
PublisherSt. Louis : Buck & Lowney  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-05-11
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-[3], [1] p.)
TypeMusical notation  
CommentNo performances, advertisements, or recordings have been found for either edition, and there are very few surviving copies. This publication seems to have had almost no effect.
Historical Note
  • Howard Kocian has not been identified; it is likely the name was a pseudonym, possibly for Lynden S. Buchanan, the publisher.
  • "America First" was a prominent slogan in the first part of 1916, extracted from a speech by President Wilson which asked immigrant Americans to set aside their national allegiances. The dedication is consistent with the "America First" campaign, and the final line of text is a paraphrase of the Wilson quotation.
  • This is the second of two editions; the first, for piano alone and substantially longer, was copyrighted on March 7, 1916. The original cover was reprinted for the second edition, though the word “song” was added; hence Menown, who was the professional manager for Buck and Lowney, is not credited except on the interior, and the phrase "Military March" remains on the cover. The music was newly engraved. The lyric, clearly a response to America’s declaration of war, was surely written in April 1917, and the new edition rapidly made ready for publication.
Musical NoteThe second edition adapts the first strain and the trio from the first edition, omitting the remainder but retaining the modulation at the trio (now the "chorus"). Formerly a march in 2/4, the piece makes idiomatic use of melodic sequence, walking bass, and occasional syncopation.
DedicationCover, TR, and p. 2, TC: Dedicated to all true Americans
RepositorySousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Rights DescriptionThis item is in the public domain.
Back Cover DescriptionText, illustration, and sample: Blue, Just Blue (© 1916 09 29).
Local Identifier2014_12996_024
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
America First - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America First - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America First - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America First - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America First - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.