University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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America Forever

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/985a3e70-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-9
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NoC-US

Descriptive Information

Title
America Forever
Alternative Title
Cover and p. 2, top: America Forever / (Soldiers' Victory Song)
Composer
Clemans, Gertrude  
Lyricist
Houghton, Mary Agnes  
Publisher
Mary Agnes Houghton  
Place of Publication
Ontario (Calif.)  
Year of Publication
1919  
Date of Copyright
1919-05-24
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-[3], [1] p.)
Comment
  • 322 West F. Street.
  • Mary Agnes Houghton
  • A carefully prepared publication, this nonetheless seems to have been essentially a private printing that left no public trace whatsoever.
Historical Note
  • This was the only printing, and no piano rolls or recordings have been found, nor any performances or advertisements.
  • The dedicatee, Harriet C. Houghton (the lyricist's mother), had turned eighty in December 1918.
Musical Note
A march ballad that effectively mixes the two genres, with dotted rhythms and the occasional walking bass but also with rubato and fermatas. The form is conventional and the music simple but effective and carefully notated.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • Armistices  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Soldiers  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Popular music  
  • Songs and music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 3]
  • [verse 3] America! America! To thee we have been true. / No shame thy banner suffers, beloved Red, White and Blue. / Sons of thy glorious freedom, we’ll keep thine honor bright, / And pledge a life of service for Liberty and Right.
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] America! America! Land of our joy and pride, / For thee we've fought and conquer'd; for thee we've fought and died. / Thy virtues speak and tyrants lie grov'ling in the dust; Our one supreme ambition — to be worthy of thy trust.
  • [refrain 1] Peerless among the nations, all eyes are turned to thee / Strong is thine helping hand that grasps the world from sea to sea. / Built on the Rock of Ages, thy great foundation sure, / The land we love—America—forever will endure.
  • [verse 1] America! America! At sound of thy dear name, / Our hearts within us burn to sing the glories of thy fame. / We love thy rugged mountains, woods, vales, and sparkling rills; / Thy mighty valiant spirit, our souls with courage fills.
Musical Genre
March 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.
Cover Description
Text only, in a simple border.
Back Cover Description
Blank.
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_061
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
TitleAmerica Forever
Alternative TitleCover and p. 2, top: America Forever / (Soldiers' Victory Song)
ComposerClemans, Gertrude  
LyricistHoughton, Mary Agnes  
PublisherMary Agnes Houghton  
Place of PublicationOntario (Calif.)  
Year of Publication1919  
Date of Copyright1919-05-24
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2]-[3], [1] p.)
Comment
  • 322 West F. Street.
  • Mary Agnes Houghton
  • A carefully prepared publication, this nonetheless seems to have been essentially a private printing that left no public trace whatsoever.
Historical Note
  • This was the only printing, and no piano rolls or recordings have been found, nor any performances or advertisements.
  • The dedicatee, Harriet C. Houghton (the lyricist's mother), had turned eighty in December 1918.
Musical NoteA march ballad that effectively mixes the two genres, with dotted rhythms and the occasional walking bass but also with rubato and fermatas. The form is conventional and the music simple but effective and carefully notated.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • Armistices  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Soldiers  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Popular music  
  • Songs and music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 3]
  • [verse 3] America! America! To thee we have been true. / No shame thy banner suffers, beloved Red, White and Blue. / Sons of thy glorious freedom, we’ll keep thine honor bright, / And pledge a life of service for Liberty and Right.
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] America! America! Land of our joy and pride, / For thee we've fought and conquer'd; for thee we've fought and died. / Thy virtues speak and tyrants lie grov'ling in the dust; Our one supreme ambition — to be worthy of thy trust.
  • [refrain 1] Peerless among the nations, all eyes are turned to thee / Strong is thine helping hand that grasps the world from sea to sea. / Built on the Rock of Ages, thy great foundation sure, / The land we love—America—forever will endure.
  • [verse 1] America! America! At sound of thy dear name, / Our hearts within us burn to sing the glories of thy fame. / We love thy rugged mountains, woods, vales, and sparkling rills; / Thy mighty valiant spirit, our souls with courage fills.
Musical GenreMarch 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.
Cover DescriptionText only, in a simple border.
Back Cover DescriptionBlank.
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_061
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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