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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

All the Boys in Khaki Get the Nice Girls

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/9867b680-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-7
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

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.

Descriptive Information

Title
All the Boys in Khaki Get the Nice Girls
Alternative Title
Cover: "All the Boys in Khaki get the Nice Girls
Composer
  • Mellor, Tom  
  • Gifford, Henry  
Lyricist
  • Mellor, Tom  
  • Gifford, Henry  
Publisher
Chappell & Co. Ltd.  
Place of Publication
  • New York (N.Y.)  
  • Toronto (Canada)  
Year of Publication
1915  
Date of Copyright
1915-08-06
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
Comment
The lyrics and musical style of this song are typically English, and its popularity in Britain carried over Australia, Canada, and other colonies. In the United States, however, it appeared only on amateur productions, irregularly and after March 1917.
Historical Note
  • This is the second of two editions. The first was copyrighted and published by Francis, Day & Hunter, London, and initially popularized by Ella Retford in August 1915. The English firm then assigned American publication to their New York partner, T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter; Chappell acquired the rights “by special arrangement,” and the second edition was published, but not separately copyrighted, sometime after November 23, 1915.
  • At least three recordings were released, all by British performers and all on British labels or their Canadian counterparts. No piano rolls have been located, and the song is not mentioned in American trade journals.
Musical Note
A typical music-hall song, with clever lyrics and a moderately complex rhyme scheme and phrase structure, this march song quotes the Regimental Call for the Irish Guards in the introduction and at the end of the verse and also includes several fanfare figures used as fills. Harmonic chromaticism plays its usual roles in passing harmonies and in introducing the final phrase.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Great Britain. Army  
  • Recruiting and enlistment  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Recruiting and enlistment  
  • Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Little Johnny Brown was a dandy in the town, / Wore a stuck-up collar and spats and ev'ry latest tie. / All the girls were crazy over Johnny for years and years / Until there came a day when all of them pass'd him by, / He wonder'd why they pass'd him by, / When they always used to give him the beautiful glad, glad eye. / He stood on the corner in sweet meditation and looking so terribly sad, / Till a lady recruiting sergeant said, "Look here, young fellow, my lad,
  • [refrain 1] "All the boys in khaki get the nice girls, / And the boys in blue get the nice girls too. / Maidens by the score, flappers in galore, / Every time you give them a kiss they shout 'Encore!' / All the boy in khaki get the nice girls / Eyes of grey, eyes of brown, eyes of blue, / So John, John, John, put a bit of khaki on, / And you'll get the nice girls too!"
  • [verse 2] She said, "Johnny Brown, say good-bye to life in town; / Get up, boy, at five in the morning with the rising sun. / All the little girls you know will follow you ev'rywhere / When once they see you boy, shouldering up your gun. / 'Twill be such fun to use a gun, / And your mother will be ever so proud of her great big son.” / Johnny went off and he very soon came back with khaki and ev'rything on, / Kiss'd the lady recruiting sergeant shouting "This is the life for John!
  • [refrain 2]
Musical Genre
March song
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. Brown on white.
Back Cover Description
Sample: Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile (© 1915 11 23)
Interior Description
  • Cover, BC: Price 60 Cents
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, 5, BL: C. 6837-4
Performance Medium
Voice and piano  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_033
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
TitleAll the Boys in Khaki Get the Nice Girls
Alternative TitleCover: "All the Boys in Khaki get the Nice Girls
Composer
  • Mellor, Tom  
  • Gifford, Henry  
Lyricist
  • Mellor, Tom  
  • Gifford, Henry  
PublisherChappell & Co. Ltd.  
Place of Publication
  • New York (N.Y.)  
  • Toronto (Canada)  
Year of Publication1915  
Date of Copyright1915-08-06
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
CommentThe lyrics and musical style of this song are typically English, and its popularity in Britain carried over Australia, Canada, and other colonies. In the United States, however, it appeared only on amateur productions, irregularly and after March 1917.
Historical Note
  • This is the second of two editions. The first was copyrighted and published by Francis, Day & Hunter, London, and initially popularized by Ella Retford in August 1915. The English firm then assigned American publication to their New York partner, T. B. Harms and Francis, Day & Hunter; Chappell acquired the rights “by special arrangement,” and the second edition was published, but not separately copyrighted, sometime after November 23, 1915.
  • At least three recordings were released, all by British performers and all on British labels or their Canadian counterparts. No piano rolls have been located, and the song is not mentioned in American trade journals.
Musical NoteA typical music-hall song, with clever lyrics and a moderately complex rhyme scheme and phrase structure, this march song quotes the Regimental Call for the Irish Guards in the introduction and at the end of the verse and also includes several fanfare figures used as fills. Harmonic chromaticism plays its usual roles in passing harmonies and in introducing the final phrase.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Great Britain. Army  
  • Recruiting and enlistment  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Recruiting and enlistment  
  • Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Little Johnny Brown was a dandy in the town, / Wore a stuck-up collar and spats and ev'ry latest tie. / All the girls were crazy over Johnny for years and years / Until there came a day when all of them pass'd him by, / He wonder'd why they pass'd him by, / When they always used to give him the beautiful glad, glad eye. / He stood on the corner in sweet meditation and looking so terribly sad, / Till a lady recruiting sergeant said, "Look here, young fellow, my lad,
  • [refrain 1] "All the boys in khaki get the nice girls, / And the boys in blue get the nice girls too. / Maidens by the score, flappers in galore, / Every time you give them a kiss they shout 'Encore!' / All the boy in khaki get the nice girls / Eyes of grey, eyes of brown, eyes of blue, / So John, John, John, put a bit of khaki on, / And you'll get the nice girls too!"
  • [verse 2] She said, "Johnny Brown, say good-bye to life in town; / Get up, boy, at five in the morning with the rising sun. / All the little girls you know will follow you ev'rywhere / When once they see you boy, shouldering up your gun. / 'Twill be such fun to use a gun, / And your mother will be ever so proud of her great big son.” / Johnny went off and he very soon came back with khaki and ev'rything on, / Kiss'd the lady recruiting sergeant shouting "This is the life for John!
  • [refrain 2]
Musical GenreMarch song
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. Brown on white.
Back Cover DescriptionSample: Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile (© 1915 11 23)
Interior Description
  • Cover, BC: Price 60 Cents
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, 5, BL: C. 6837-4
Performance MediumVoice and piano  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_033
Collection TitleJames Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
nda163_033-001
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_033-002
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_033-003
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_033-004
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_033-005
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_033-006
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Email Curator About This Item