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A-M-E-R-I-C-A

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/987981b0-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-b
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Descriptive Information

Title
A-M-E-R-I-C-A  
Alternative Title
  • Cover, top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Patriotic Song  
  • p. [2], top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Song  
Composer
McPhee, B. J. (Burton James)  
Lyricist
McPhee, B. J. (Burton James)  
Publisher
The Fred Alton Haight Co.  
Place of Publication
Medford (Or.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-12-14
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2-3], [1] p.)
Comment
A late arrival to the flood of spelling songs that followed Morse and Johnson’s 1915 hit, “M-O-T-H-E-R,” McPhee’s song may have enjoyed modest local success, but it received no recognition elsewhere. With only one verse, it may have had more use as an instrumental number.
Historical Note
  • There was only one printing and there were no recordings or piano rolls.  
  • B. J. McPhee registered the copyright, and he is credited with words and music on the publication. However, an entry in the diary of Fred Alton Haight indicates that Haight wrote the music, possibly working from a melody that McPhee supplied.  
Musical Note
A conventional march song with fills and walking bass, the melody of this spelling song is unusually repetitive, with all but one line in both verse and chorus beginning with the same upwards line. To accommodate the spelling the first phrase of the refrain is extended, making an unusual form of 36 bars in all.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • Popular music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • English language  
  • Orthography and spelling  
  • Songs and music  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse] A is for Allegiance we owe our country’s flag; / M is for the Millions, true hearts that never lagg: / E is for the Emblem, the Red and White and Blue: / R is for Republic the forefathers gave to you: / I for Independence so dear to you and me: / C for Christianity our motto ever be; / A is for America the homeland of the free / May our hearts be filld with love faith hope and charity
  • [refrain] A-M-E-R-I-C-A America, America; / O land of Freedom’s ring! / Behold the flag victorious / While countless voices sing / “America,” “America,” / My land of Liberty; / Independence glorified / That’s what it means to me.
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
Map of the United States superimposed on the US shield. Red and blue on white; unsigned.  
Back Cover Description
Sample: The City of Perfect Peace (© 1917 03 10).  
Interior Description
  • p. [2], TR, below composer’s name: Writer and Composer of / “The Valley of the Rogue” / “The Twilight Hour” / “The City of Perfect Peace”  
  • Plate number: p. [3], BL: A-M-E-R-I-C-A - 2  
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_032  
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
TitleA-M-E-R-I-C-A  
Alternative Title
  • Cover, top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Patriotic Song  
  • p. [2], top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Song  
ComposerMcPhee, B. J. (Burton James)  
LyricistMcPhee, B. J. (Burton James)  
PublisherThe Fred Alton Haight Co.  
Place of PublicationMedford (Or.)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-12-14
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2-3], [1] p.)
CommentA late arrival to the flood of spelling songs that followed Morse and Johnson’s 1915 hit, “M-O-T-H-E-R,” McPhee’s song may have enjoyed modest local success, but it received no recognition elsewhere. With only one verse, it may have had more use as an instrumental number.
Historical Note
  • There was only one printing and there were no recordings or piano rolls.  
  • B. J. McPhee registered the copyright, and he is credited with words and music on the publication. However, an entry in the diary of Fred Alton Haight indicates that Haight wrote the music, possibly working from a melody that McPhee supplied.  
Musical NoteA conventional march song with fills and walking bass, the melody of this spelling song is unusually repetitive, with all but one line in both verse and chorus beginning with the same upwards line. To accommodate the spelling the first phrase of the refrain is extended, making an unusual form of 36 bars in all.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • Popular music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • English language  
  • Orthography and spelling  
  • Songs and music  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse] A is for Allegiance we owe our country’s flag; / M is for the Millions, true hearts that never lagg: / E is for the Emblem, the Red and White and Blue: / R is for Republic the forefathers gave to you: / I for Independence so dear to you and me: / C for Christianity our motto ever be; / A is for America the homeland of the free / May our hearts be filld with love faith hope and charity
  • [refrain] A-M-E-R-I-C-A America, America; / O land of Freedom’s ring! / Behold the flag victorious / While countless voices sing / “America,” “America,” / My land of Liberty; / Independence glorified / That’s what it means to me.
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 DescriptionMap of the United States superimposed on the US shield. Red and blue on white; unsigned.  
Back Cover DescriptionSample: The City of Perfect Peace (© 1917 03 10).  
Interior Description
  • p. [2], TR, below composer’s name: Writer and Composer of / “The Valley of the Rogue” / “The Twilight Hour” / “The City of Perfect Peace”  
  • Plate number: p. [3], BL: A-M-E-R-I-C-A - 2  
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_032  
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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