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Aloha, Soldier Boy

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/98564430-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-a

The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions

Descriptive Information

Title
Aloha, Soldier Boy  
Composer
Smith, Walter  
Lyricist
Carter, Sidney [pseudonym for Charles N. Daniels]  
Publisher
San Francisco : Daniels & Wilson Incorporated Music Publishers  
Year of Publication
1918
Date of Copyright
1918-08-30
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-3, [1] p.)
Type
Musical notation  
Comment
This ballad, a late addition to the Hawaiian craze, and written near the close of the War, had only limited success, largely on the West Coast, though the two piano rolls reached a somewhat wider audience. A New York Dramatic Mirror reviewer characterized the music and words as "commonplace."
Historical Note
  • Two piano rolls were issued in 1918: by QRS in November and by Rythmodik in December. Only one performance has been identified.
  • This is the first of two printings, distinguished by the back covers. A postwar version titled “Aloha, Honey Boy,” with identical music but with the lyrics rewritten to remove all references to soldiers and France, was copyrighted April 5, 1919.
Musical Note
This Hawaiian ballad follows the conventions of the genre: oscillating (swaying) dotted figures, gentle syncopation, glissandi and grace notes, upward leaps of a sixth.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • Hawaii -- Songs and music.  
  • Love songs.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Subject - Geographic
  • France  
  • Hawaii  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] Same old moon and stars are shining By the silver strand, / On the shore, as of yore; / There's a soldier quickly walking Down the moonlit sand, / she is waiting there; / "Dearie," he is saying, "Greet me with a kiss, / I have not forgotten that you told me this:"
  • [refrain 1] "So when you see a little, naughty Frenchy maiden near you, Just to cheer you, dear, / Be sure to look away, because you know that I adore you, Longing for you here, / In dear old Waikiki, There’s little lonesome me, / And I’ll be loney, very lonely, Waiting for you only, Aloha, soldier boy.
  • [verse 1] Stars are blinking, moon is winking, By the silver sea, / Lovers there, just a pair; / Slowly walking, softly talking, Hear her tender plea / as she whispered low: / "Dearie, don't forget me when you're over there, / France is full of girlies, and you must beware.”
Musical Genre
Hawaiian ballad
Repository
Newberry Library
Conditions of Use
The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions
Artist
Cameron, W. R. [William Ross]  
Printer
Back cover, bottom: Alex. Dulfer Printing Co., S. F.  
Cover Description
Soldier and sweetheart, wearing a lei, walking together, facing right; palm trees, sea, mountain, and moon in background; in simple window-like art deco frame; orange and blue, signed BR.
Back Cover Description
Sample, in simple art deco frame: Dreamy moon (© 1917 11 15)
Interior Description
Plate number: p. 3, BL: Aloha, Soldier Boy 2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_031
Collection
World War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
TitleAloha, Soldier Boy  
ComposerSmith, Walter  
LyricistCarter, Sidney [pseudonym for Charles N. Daniels]  
PublisherSan Francisco : Daniels & Wilson Incorporated Music Publishers  
Year of Publication1918
Date of Copyright1918-08-30
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-3, [1] p.)
TypeMusical notation  
CommentThis ballad, a late addition to the Hawaiian craze, and written near the close of the War, had only limited success, largely on the West Coast, though the two piano rolls reached a somewhat wider audience. A New York Dramatic Mirror reviewer characterized the music and words as "commonplace."
Historical Note
  • Two piano rolls were issued in 1918: by QRS in November and by Rythmodik in December. Only one performance has been identified.
  • This is the first of two printings, distinguished by the back covers. A postwar version titled “Aloha, Honey Boy,” with identical music but with the lyrics rewritten to remove all references to soldiers and France, was copyrighted April 5, 1919.
Musical NoteThis Hawaiian ballad follows the conventions of the genre: oscillating (swaying) dotted figures, gentle syncopation, glissandi and grace notes, upward leaps of a sixth.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • Hawaii -- Songs and music.  
  • Love songs.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Subject - Geographic
  • France  
  • Hawaii  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] Same old moon and stars are shining By the silver strand, / On the shore, as of yore; / There's a soldier quickly walking Down the moonlit sand, / she is waiting there; / "Dearie," he is saying, "Greet me with a kiss, / I have not forgotten that you told me this:"
  • [refrain 1] "So when you see a little, naughty Frenchy maiden near you, Just to cheer you, dear, / Be sure to look away, because you know that I adore you, Longing for you here, / In dear old Waikiki, There’s little lonesome me, / And I’ll be loney, very lonely, Waiting for you only, Aloha, soldier boy.
  • [verse 1] Stars are blinking, moon is winking, By the silver sea, / Lovers there, just a pair; / Slowly walking, softly talking, Hear her tender plea / as she whispered low: / "Dearie, don't forget me when you're over there, / France is full of girlies, and you must beware.”
Musical GenreHawaiian ballad
RepositoryNewberry Library
Conditions of UseThe Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to the following terms and conditions: https://www.newberry.org/rights-and-reproductions
ArtistCameron, W. R. [William Ross]  
PrinterBack cover, bottom: Alex. Dulfer Printing Co., S. F.  
Cover DescriptionSoldier and sweetheart, wearing a lei, walking together, facing right; palm trees, sea, mountain, and moon in background; in simple window-like art deco frame; orange and blue, signed BR.
Back Cover DescriptionSample, in simple art deco frame: Dreamy moon (© 1917 11 15)
Interior DescriptionPlate number: p. 3, BL: Aloha, Soldier Boy 2
Performance MediumVoice and piano.
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_031
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

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