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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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 Needs You Like a Mother

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/4aa12e60-c0e6-0134-2373-0050569601ca-0

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
America Needs You Like a Mother - Lyrics
Composer
Schwartz, Jean  
Lyricist
Clark, Grant  
Publisher
Kalmar Puck & Abrahams Colsolidated Inc. Music Pub.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Lyrics
  • still with all our many thoughts and failings, she remains our only friend, just like many loyal children, we should help her to the end.
  • now we find that she’s in trouble, danger’s lurking all around, America, she needs you like a mother, would you turn your mother down? We know that there are diff’rent kinds of children, there are some who love to roam, then again there’s some who love their mother, they would rather stay at home
  • I seem to see a picture of a mother, with her children by her side, some her own and some that she’s adopted, still she looks at all with pride. Now it seems the mother is in trouble, and she needs her children’s aid, some are coming forth to help her, but there’s some who seem afraid. America has been a mother to the children of the world, she has taken to her bosom ev’ry homeless boy and girl
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_025
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
America Needs You Like a Mother
Alternative Title
p. 2, top: America Needs You Like a Mother / (Would You Turn Your Mother Down?)
Composer
Schwartz, Jean  
Lyricist
Clark, Grant  
Publisher
Kalmar Puck & Abrahams Colsolidated Inc. Music Pub.  
Place of Publication
New York  
Publisher Address
1570 Broadway  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-03-06
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Comment
This song’s impact in vaudeville was short-lived, but it was followed by an arrangement for band that was made quite popular in the summer of 1917. However, professional performances did not persist past then, though a recording issued as late as spring, 1919, suggests some small enduring popularity.
Historical Note
  • Grant Clarke is printed without the final “e” on p. 2.
  • This is the only variant of the second of two printings, distinguished only by their front covers. A version was published in Sydney, Australia, identical except that, in the title and lyrics, "America" was changed to "Britannia."
  • The song was ballyhooed with a full-page advertisement in Variety, February 23, and was performed by several minor vaudevillians across the country during the following month. A band arrangement was introduced in June and widely played over the summer, but the song appeared only in amateur productions thereafter. Kalmar, Puck & Abrahams registered mechanical rights on May 29, 1917, and two piano rolls and one recording were issued.
Musical Note
This wholly conventional march song (marked “marcia”) employs limited use of syncopation and walking bass; as piano fills at the end of phrases, it quotes Yankee Doodle, Assembly (twice), and a rat-a-tat-tat figure.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Mothers of soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Recruiting and enlistment -- Songs and music.  
  • Immigrants -- United States -- Songs and music.  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] I seem to see a picture of a mother, / With her children by her side / Some her own and some that she's adopted, / Still she looks at all with pride / Now it seems the mother is in trouble / And she need her children's aid / Some are coming forth to help her / But there's some who seem afraid.
  • [refrain 1] America has been a mother / To the children of the world / She has taken to her bosom / Ev'ry homeless boy and girl / Now we find that she's in trouble / Danger's lurking all around / America, she needs you like a mother / Would you turn your mother down?
  • [verse 2] We know that there are diff'rent kinds of children, / There are some who love to roam / Then again there's some who love their mother, / They would rather stay at home / Still with all our many faults and failing's / She remains our only friend / Just like many loyal children / We should help her to the end.
  • [refrain 2]
Musical Genre
March song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Artist
Barbelle, Albert W.  
Printer
F. J. Lawson Co. (New York, NY)  
Cover Description
Soldier embracing mother; in back, separated by a veil of cloud, are American soldiers and a bugler on horseback; publisher’s imprint (BC) in a modified shield, bracketed by Pan playing pipes. Black, blue, brown, and red on white; signed BR.
Back Cover Description
In an elaborate frame, peacock at BR, text and sample: Rolling Stones (© 1917 01 09).
Interior Description
Plate number: p. 3, BL: America Needs You 2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
Local Identifier
2014_12996_025
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAmerica Needs You Like a Mother
Alternative Titlep. 2, top: America Needs You Like a Mother / (Would You Turn Your Mother Down?)
ComposerSchwartz, Jean  
LyricistClark, Grant  
PublisherKalmar Puck & Abrahams Colsolidated Inc. Music Pub.  
Place of PublicationNew York  
Publisher Address1570 Broadway  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-03-06
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
CommentThis song’s impact in vaudeville was short-lived, but it was followed by an arrangement for band that was made quite popular in the summer of 1917. However, professional performances did not persist past then, though a recording issued as late as spring, 1919, suggests some small enduring popularity.
Historical Note
  • Grant Clarke is printed without the final “e” on p. 2.
  • This is the only variant of the second of two printings, distinguished only by their front covers. A version was published in Sydney, Australia, identical except that, in the title and lyrics, "America" was changed to "Britannia."
  • The song was ballyhooed with a full-page advertisement in Variety, February 23, and was performed by several minor vaudevillians across the country during the following month. A band arrangement was introduced in June and widely played over the summer, but the song appeared only in amateur productions thereafter. Kalmar, Puck & Abrahams registered mechanical rights on May 29, 1917, and two piano rolls and one recording were issued.
Musical NoteThis wholly conventional march song (marked “marcia”) employs limited use of syncopation and walking bass; as piano fills at the end of phrases, it quotes Yankee Doodle, Assembly (twice), and a rat-a-tat-tat figure.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Mothers of soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Recruiting and enlistment -- Songs and music.  
  • Immigrants -- United States -- Songs and music.  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] I seem to see a picture of a mother, / With her children by her side / Some her own and some that she's adopted, / Still she looks at all with pride / Now it seems the mother is in trouble / And she need her children's aid / Some are coming forth to help her / But there's some who seem afraid.
  • [refrain 1] America has been a mother / To the children of the world / She has taken to her bosom / Ev'ry homeless boy and girl / Now we find that she's in trouble / Danger's lurking all around / America, she needs you like a mother / Would you turn your mother down?
  • [verse 2] We know that there are diff'rent kinds of children, / There are some who love to roam / Then again there's some who love their mother, / They would rather stay at home / Still with all our many faults and failing's / She remains our only friend / Just like many loyal children / We should help her to the end.
  • [refrain 2]
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
ArtistBarbelle, Albert W.  
PrinterF. J. Lawson Co. (New York, NY)  
Cover DescriptionSoldier embracing mother; in back, separated by a veil of cloud, are American soldiers and a bugler on horseback; publisher’s imprint (BC) in a modified shield, bracketed by Pan playing pipes. Black, blue, brown, and red on white; signed BR.
Back Cover DescriptionIn an elaborate frame, peacock at BR, text and sample: Rolling Stones (© 1917 01 09).
Interior DescriptionPlate number: p. 3, BL: America Needs You 2
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
Local Identifier2014_12996_025
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Download Options

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