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Allegiance

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/99375820-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-f
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
Allegiance
Composer
Smith, Julia  
Lyricist
Smith, Julia  
Publisher
Arrow Music Pub. Co.  
Place of Publication
Boston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-04-03
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
Comment
  • In addition to a second edition with a different publisher, this title was copyrighted in arrangements for band and orchestra (April 4 and 15, 1918), and the chorus of the first edition appeared in the Boston Post (July 6, 1918), together with an interview with the composer. All this suggests modest recognition and popularity, at least in the Boston area.
  • Arrow Music Pub. Co.
  • 24 Warren St.
Historical Note
  • This is the first of two editions; it was almost certainly self-published by Smith, since Arrow Music published no other titles, and its address was only a few doors away from Smith's home address. An earlier copyright, March 14, 1918, was for the manuscript; the published copy differs from the manuscript in its key and in several details in the accompaniment. According to Smith, the song was written in response to President Wilson's speech on April 2, 1917.
  • The verse texts are Smith's, but the refrain presents the Pledge of Allegiance verbatim; this may have been its first appearance in a published musical setting.
  • There are no documented performances, recordings, or promotional activities.
Musical Note
This march song in compound duple time couples a 24-bar verse with a 32-bar refrain that resembles a march trio but with no modulation. The introduction and verse build bugle calls from the “Over There” figure. The second phrase of the refrain suggests the second phrase of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Allegiance  
  • Songs and music  
  • Flags  
  • Pledge of Allegiance  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] We're off today for the battlefield, / We're on our way and we'll never yield, / We're off! We're off! / Soon in the fray, we are not to blame, / The Stars and Stripes we will never shame, / We're off! We're off! We're off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you!
  • [refrain 1] I pledge allegiance to my flag I pledge allegiance, / and to the republic for which it stands / One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all / I pledge allegiance to my country's flag.
  • [verse 2] Our God above in his wisdom great / Will guide us on and decide our fate, / We're off! We're off! / We'll make amends when the battle's o'er, / We'll all be friends as in days of yore, / We're off! We're off! We're off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you![verse 2] Our God above in his wisdom great / Will guide us on and decide our fate, / We’re off! We’re off! / We’ll make amends when the battle’s o’er, / We’ll all be friends as in days of yore, / We’re off! We’re off! We’re off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you!
  • [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, ornamented.
Back Cover Description
Blank.
Interior Description
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
  • Cover, above publisher: Price 50 cents
  • p. 2, below title: (Patriotic Song)
  • p. 5: The refrain arranged for four-part men’s chorus.
  • p. 5, top: *Chorus of Men’s Voices ad lib.
  • p. 5, bottom: *May be used in conjunction with the Piano Part of the Refrain, or may be sung without accompaniment.
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, BL: Allegiance 4
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_028
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
TitleAllegiance
ComposerSmith, Julia  
LyricistSmith, Julia  
PublisherArrow Music Pub. Co.  
Place of PublicationBoston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-04-03
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
Comment
  • In addition to a second edition with a different publisher, this title was copyrighted in arrangements for band and orchestra (April 4 and 15, 1918), and the chorus of the first edition appeared in the Boston Post (July 6, 1918), together with an interview with the composer. All this suggests modest recognition and popularity, at least in the Boston area.
  • Arrow Music Pub. Co.
  • 24 Warren St.
Historical Note
  • This is the first of two editions; it was almost certainly self-published by Smith, since Arrow Music published no other titles, and its address was only a few doors away from Smith's home address. An earlier copyright, March 14, 1918, was for the manuscript; the published copy differs from the manuscript in its key and in several details in the accompaniment. According to Smith, the song was written in response to President Wilson's speech on April 2, 1917.
  • The verse texts are Smith's, but the refrain presents the Pledge of Allegiance verbatim; this may have been its first appearance in a published musical setting.
  • There are no documented performances, recordings, or promotional activities.
Musical NoteThis march song in compound duple time couples a 24-bar verse with a 32-bar refrain that resembles a march trio but with no modulation. The introduction and verse build bugle calls from the “Over There” figure. The second phrase of the refrain suggests the second phrase of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Allegiance  
  • Songs and music  
  • Flags  
  • Pledge of Allegiance  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] We're off today for the battlefield, / We're on our way and we'll never yield, / We're off! We're off! / Soon in the fray, we are not to blame, / The Stars and Stripes we will never shame, / We're off! We're off! We're off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you!
  • [refrain 1] I pledge allegiance to my flag I pledge allegiance, / and to the republic for which it stands / One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all / I pledge allegiance to my country's flag.
  • [verse 2] Our God above in his wisdom great / Will guide us on and decide our fate, / We're off! We're off! / We'll make amends when the battle's o'er, / We'll all be friends as in days of yore, / We're off! We're off! We're off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you![verse 2] Our God above in his wisdom great / Will guide us on and decide our fate, / We’re off! We’re off! / We’ll make amends when the battle’s o’er, / We’ll all be friends as in days of yore, / We’re off! We’re off! We’re off! / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Look to the left, to the right, to the front, / Stars and Stripes that float above us all, I love you!
  • [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, ornamented.
Back Cover DescriptionBlank.
Interior Description
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
  • Cover, above publisher: Price 50 cents
  • p. 2, below title: (Patriotic Song)
  • p. 5: The refrain arranged for four-part men’s chorus.
  • p. 5, top: *Chorus of Men’s Voices ad lib.
  • p. 5, bottom: *May be used in conjunction with the Piano Part of the Refrain, or may be sung without accompaniment.
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, BL: Allegiance 4
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_028
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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