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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

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
A-M-E-R-I-C-A  
Alternative Title
  • p. [2], top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Song  
  • Cover, top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Patriotic Song  
Composer
McPhee, B. J. [Burton James]  
Lyricist
McPhee, B. J. [Burton James]  
Publisher
Medford, OR : The Fred Alton Haight Co.  
Year of Publication
1917
Date of Copyright
1917-12-14
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2-3], [1] p.)
Type
Musical notation  
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
  • 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.
  • There was only one printing and there were no recordings or piano rolls.
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
  • English language -- Orthography and spelling -- Songs and music.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Lyrics
  • [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.
  • [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
Musical Genre
March song
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
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
  • Plate number: p. [3], BL: A-M-E-R-I-C-A - 2
  • p. [2], TR, below composer’s name: Writer and Composer of / “The Valley of the Rogue” / “The Twilight Hour” / “The City of Perfect Peace”
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_032
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
  • p. [2], top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Song  
  • Cover, top: A-M-E-R-I-C-A / Patriotic Song  
ComposerMcPhee, B. J. [Burton James]  
LyricistMcPhee, B. J. [Burton James]  
PublisherMedford, OR : The Fred Alton Haight Co.  
Year of Publication1917
Date of Copyright1917-12-14
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], [2-3], [1] p.)
TypeMusical notation  
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
  • 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.
  • There was only one printing and there were no recordings or piano rolls.
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
  • English language -- Orthography and spelling -- Songs and music.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Lyrics
  • [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.
  • [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
Musical GenreMarch song
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
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
  • Plate number: p. [3], BL: A-M-E-R-I-C-A - 2
  • p. [2], TR, below composer’s name: Writer and Composer of / “The Valley of the Rogue” / “The Twilight Hour” / “The City of Perfect Peace”
Performance MediumVoice and piano.
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_032
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

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