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Do Your Little "Bitty-Bit" (Right Now!)

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/bb60a800-e8ed-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-1
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Descriptive Information

Title
Do Your Little "Bitty-Bit" (Right Now!)
Alternative Title
Do Your Little “Bitty-Bit” Right Now
Composer
Braham, Edmund  
Lyricist
  • Belohlavek, F. (Frances)  
  • Perkins, C. C. (Clifford Cifton)  
Publisher
The Frances-Clifford Music Publishing Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-10-09
Physical Description
1 score ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Comment
One of the first offerings from Frances-Clifford, this title remained profitable for nearly two years, buttressed by its association with Liberty Loan campaigns. Recordings and civic performances testify to its widespread popularity, especially in the midwest.
Historical Note
The manuscript was copyrighted on October 8, 1917, but a plug in The New York Clipper for September 19 announces that the song is “fast getting a hold with the singers and public in the Middle West.” Three printings can be distinguished by front and back covers; the music and lyrics are unchanged. This is the third printing, which appeared after January, 1918, when the piano roll advertised by the “stamp” on the cover was released. The circular “stamp” is placed in three different locations and printed in two different colors, establishing three variants, for which no order can be established. Braham’s song was timed to accompany the Second Liberty Loan campaign, which started on October 1, 1917. It was issued in arrangements for orchestra and band, and at least two piano rolls, two recordings, and a large number of performances attest to its enduring appeal to the end of the war and even afterwards.
Musical Note
A typical march song (marked “march moderato”), with occasional walking bass and rat-a-tat-tat figures, this title was designed to function well in both song and instrumental forms.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • Savings bonds  
  • Songs and music  
  • Liberty loans  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • War bonds & funds  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1910-1920  
Lyrics
  • [Verse 1] The battle’s on, “Somewhere in France,” our boys are over there; / They are fighting for our own U. S. / On land, on sea, in air. / What are we doing here at home / For our Security? / We each must do our little “Bit,” / It’s up to you and me.
  • [Refrain 1] Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Somehow, / Either buy a Bond or fight, For all that’s just and right, / And help your dear old Uncle Sam. / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Somehow; / With our Yankee “Pep” and “Vim,” / We will pitch right in and win, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now.
  • [Verse 2] The battle’s o’er, the cause is won, / Our boys are homeward bound. / They fought the fight for liberty, / With victory were crowned. / We’ll greet them all when they return, / And with them make a “Hit,” / When they find out we didn’t “Slack,” / But did our little “Bit.”
  • [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.
Printer
Rayner Dalheim & Co. (Chicago, IL)  
Cover Description
Uncle Sam, standing in front of bags of money and right and above five representative civilians, to whom he is handing out Liberty Bonds; behind all is a background of clouds; above are three scenes inset in circles: a nurse tending a wounded soldier on a battlefield; fighting soldiers landing on a beach, with a battleship and airplane behind in the background; and a farmer plowing a field with a team of horses. First two printings: The background clouds wrap down on and below the insets, just above the citizens; the ground in the inset images is colored. Third printing: the background clouds end halfway down the lower inset, level with Uncle Sam’s hand; the ground in the inset images is white. A “stamp” is added advertising the Imperial piano roll, in two different colors and three slightly different locations; thus there are three variants of the third printing.
Back Cover Description
Samples: When it’s rosebud time in red bud (I’m coming back to you) (© 1917 09 10); To you dear (© 1917 11 02).
Interior Description
P3, BL: Do Your Little Bit - 2. P3, BR: Rayner Dalheim & Co. / Music Printers & Engravers / Chicago, Ill.
Performance Medium
Voice and piano  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
ndd163_017
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
TitleDo Your Little "Bitty-Bit" (Right Now!)
Alternative TitleDo Your Little “Bitty-Bit” Right Now
ComposerBraham, Edmund  
Lyricist
  • Belohlavek, F. (Frances)  
  • Perkins, C. C. (Clifford Cifton)  
PublisherThe Frances-Clifford Music Publishing Co.  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-10-09
Physical Description1 score ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
CommentOne of the first offerings from Frances-Clifford, this title remained profitable for nearly two years, buttressed by its association with Liberty Loan campaigns. Recordings and civic performances testify to its widespread popularity, especially in the midwest.
Historical NoteThe manuscript was copyrighted on October 8, 1917, but a plug in The New York Clipper for September 19 announces that the song is “fast getting a hold with the singers and public in the Middle West.” Three printings can be distinguished by front and back covers; the music and lyrics are unchanged. This is the third printing, which appeared after January, 1918, when the piano roll advertised by the “stamp” on the cover was released. The circular “stamp” is placed in three different locations and printed in two different colors, establishing three variants, for which no order can be established. Braham’s song was timed to accompany the Second Liberty Loan campaign, which started on October 1, 1917. It was issued in arrangements for orchestra and band, and at least two piano rolls, two recordings, and a large number of performances attest to its enduring appeal to the end of the war and even afterwards.
Musical NoteA typical march song (marked “march moderato”), with occasional walking bass and rat-a-tat-tat figures, this title was designed to function well in both song and instrumental forms.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • Savings bonds  
  • Songs and music  
  • Liberty loans  
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
  • War bonds & funds  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1910-1920  
Lyrics
  • [Verse 1] The battle’s on, “Somewhere in France,” our boys are over there; / They are fighting for our own U. S. / On land, on sea, in air. / What are we doing here at home / For our Security? / We each must do our little “Bit,” / It’s up to you and me.
  • [Refrain 1] Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Somehow, / Either buy a Bond or fight, For all that’s just and right, / And help your dear old Uncle Sam. / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Somehow; / With our Yankee “Pep” and “Vim,” / We will pitch right in and win, / Do your little “Bitty Bit” Right now.
  • [Verse 2] The battle’s o’er, the cause is won, / Our boys are homeward bound. / They fought the fight for liberty, / With victory were crowned. / We’ll greet them all when they return, / And with them make a “Hit,” / When they find out we didn’t “Slack,” / But did our little “Bit.”
  • [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.
PrinterRayner Dalheim & Co. (Chicago, IL)  
Cover DescriptionUncle Sam, standing in front of bags of money and right and above five representative civilians, to whom he is handing out Liberty Bonds; behind all is a background of clouds; above are three scenes inset in circles: a nurse tending a wounded soldier on a battlefield; fighting soldiers landing on a beach, with a battleship and airplane behind in the background; and a farmer plowing a field with a team of horses. First two printings: The background clouds wrap down on and below the insets, just above the citizens; the ground in the inset images is colored. Third printing: the background clouds end halfway down the lower inset, level with Uncle Sam’s hand; the ground in the inset images is white. A “stamp” is added advertising the Imperial piano roll, in two different colors and three slightly different locations; thus there are three variants of the third printing.
Back Cover DescriptionSamples: When it’s rosebud time in red bud (I’m coming back to you) (© 1917 09 10); To you dear (© 1917 11 02).
Interior DescriptionP3, BL: Do Your Little Bit - 2. P3, BR: Rayner Dalheim & Co. / Music Printers & Engravers / Chicago, Ill.
Performance MediumVoice and piano  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifierndd163_017
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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