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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

Allegiance

Permalink

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
  • 24 Warren St.
  • Arrow Music Pub. Co.
  • 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.
Historical Note
  • There are no documented performances, recordings, or promotional activities.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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
  • Pledge of Allegiance  
  • Flags  
  • Songs and music  
  • Allegiance  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Popular music  
  • Songs and music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [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 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 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!
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
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, BL: Allegiance 4
  • p. 5, bottom: *May be used in conjunction with the Piano Part of the Refrain, or may be sung without accompaniment.
  • p. 5, top: *Chorus of Men’s Voices ad lib.
  • p. 5: The refrain arranged for four-part men’s chorus.
  • p. 2, below title: (Patriotic Song)
  • Cover, above publisher: Price 50 cents
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
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
  • 24 Warren St.
  • Arrow Music Pub. Co.
  • 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.
Historical Note
  • There are no documented performances, recordings, or promotional activities.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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
  • Pledge of Allegiance  
  • Flags  
  • Songs and music  
  • Allegiance  
  • Patriotic music  
  • Popular music  
  • Songs and music  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [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 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 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!
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
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2, 3, 4, BL: Allegiance 4
  • p. 5, bottom: *May be used in conjunction with the Piano Part of the Refrain, or may be sung without accompaniment.
  • p. 5, top: *Chorus of Men’s Voices ad lib.
  • p. 5: The refrain arranged for four-part men’s chorus.
  • p. 2, below title: (Patriotic Song)
  • Cover, above publisher: Price 50 cents
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
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

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
nda163_028-001
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_028-002
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_028-003
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_028-004
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_028-005
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
nda163_028-006
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.