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Aloha, Soldier Boy

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

Descriptive Information

Title
Aloha, Soldier Boy  
Composer
Smith, Walter  
Lyricist
Carter, Sidney (pseudonym for Charles N. Daniels)  
Publisher
Daniels & Wilson, Inc.  
Place of Publication
San Francisco (Calif.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-08-30
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-3, [1] p.)
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
  • 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.  
  • Two piano rolls were issued in 1918: by QRS in November and by Rythmodik in December. Only one performance has been identified.  
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
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Soldiers  
  • Songs and music  
  • Love songs  
Subject - Geographic
  • Hawaii  
  • France  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [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.”
  • [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 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 2]
Musical Genre
Hawaiian ballad
Repository
Newberry Library
Rights
NoC-US
Rights Description
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
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 Title
James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
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)  
PublisherDaniels & Wilson, Inc.  
Place of PublicationSan Francisco (Calif.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-08-30
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-3, [1] p.)
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
  • 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.  
  • Two piano rolls were issued in 1918: by QRS in November and by Rythmodik in December. Only one performance has been identified.  
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
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Soldiers  
  • Songs and music  
  • Love songs  
Subject - Geographic
  • Hawaii  
  • France  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [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.”
  • [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 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 2]
Musical GenreHawaiian ballad
RepositoryNewberry Library
RightsNoC-US
Rights DescriptionThe organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
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  
Collection TitleJames Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

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