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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

He's My Boy

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e796c860-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-5

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
He's My Boy - Lyrics
Composer
Klein, Lou  
Lyricist
Klein, Lou  
Publisher
Chas. K. Harris  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
He's My Boy Verse: The Irish volunteers were leaving for the front one day. As I was bidding them "Goodbye," I heard an old man say: My boy is over there, you'll meet him when you start to fight, Just tell him that his dear old mother prays for him each night. How will we know him? All the soldiers cried, And this is how the Irishman replied. Refrain: If you hear them calling "Clancy!" He's my boy! If you see him shooting fancy, He's my boy! He's a fighting Irishman and sure, he'll treat the enemy rough, He’ll get so many medals, they won't make them fast enough. Sure he sleeps with one eye open, He's my boy, and I'm proud to say that he's my pride and joy! There's a bit of the Divil in Jim, but he won't let a German knock it out of him, For he's my boy! Verse: The boys ran short of ammunition. What did he do first? He scraped off all the powder from the face of ev'ry nurse, And when there wasn't any food what do you think, he did? Went out and got a Billygoat and killed it for a kid. You'll find him in the thickest of the fray, Now, is it any wonder that I say? Refrain
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 5
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_304
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
He's My Boy
Composer
Klein, Lou  
Lyricist
Klein, Lou  
Publisher
Chas. K. Harris  
Place of Publication
New York  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-06-10
Lyrics
He's My Boy Verse: The Irish volunteers were leaving for the front one day. As I was bidding them "Goodbye," I heard an old man say: My boy is over there, you'll meet him when you start to fight, Just tell him that his dear old mother prays for him each night. How will we know him? All the soldiers cried, And this is how the Irishman replied. Refrain: If you hear them calling "Clancy!" He's my boy! If you see him shooting fancy, He's my boy! He's a fighting Irishman and sure, he'll treat the enemy rough, He’ll get so many medals, they won't make them fast enough. Sure he sleeps with one eye open, He's my boy, and I'm proud to say that he's my pride and joy! There's a bit of the Divil in Jim, but he won't let a German knock it out of him, For he's my boy! Verse: The boys ran short of ammunition. What did he do first? He scraped off all the powder from the face of ev'ry nurse, And when there wasn't any food what do you think, he did? Went out and got a Billygoat and killed it for a kid.
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Back Cover Description
  • Yankee (© 1917 09 10)
  • Kathleen (© 1917 08 22)
  • Dry Your Tears (© 1917 10 04)
  • Break the News to Mother (© 1897)
  • I'll See You Later, Yankee Land (© 1917 08 22)
  • I Miss the Old Folks Now (© 1917 09 15)
  • Love o' Mine (© 1917 09 10)
  • You Kissed Me (© 1917 09 10)
  • Sweetness (© 1917 10 10)
  • Nine samples, in 3x3 grid and simple frames:
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 5
Local Identifier
2014_12996_304
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleHe's My Boy
ComposerKlein, Lou  
LyricistKlein, Lou  
PublisherChas. K. Harris  
Place of PublicationNew York  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-06-10
LyricsHe's My Boy Verse: The Irish volunteers were leaving for the front one day. As I was bidding them "Goodbye," I heard an old man say: My boy is over there, you'll meet him when you start to fight, Just tell him that his dear old mother prays for him each night. How will we know him? All the soldiers cried, And this is how the Irishman replied. Refrain: If you hear them calling "Clancy!" He's my boy! If you see him shooting fancy, He's my boy! He's a fighting Irishman and sure, he'll treat the enemy rough, He’ll get so many medals, they won't make them fast enough. Sure he sleeps with one eye open, He's my boy, and I'm proud to say that he's my pride and joy! There's a bit of the Divil in Jim, but he won't let a German knock it out of him, For he's my boy! Verse: The boys ran short of ammunition. What did he do first? He scraped off all the powder from the face of ev'ry nurse, And when there wasn't any food what do you think, he did? Went out and got a Billygoat and killed it for a kid.
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Back Cover Description
  • Yankee (© 1917 09 10)
  • Kathleen (© 1917 08 22)
  • Dry Your Tears (© 1917 10 04)
  • Break the News to Mother (© 1897)
  • I'll See You Later, Yankee Land (© 1917 08 22)
  • I Miss the Old Folks Now (© 1917 09 15)
  • Love o' Mine (© 1917 09 10)
  • You Kissed Me (© 1917 09 10)
  • Sweetness (© 1917 10 10)
  • Nine samples, in 3x3 grid and simple frames:
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 5
Local Identifier2014_12996_304
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
He's My Boy - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
He's My Boy - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
He's My Boy - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
He's My Boy - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
He's My Boy - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.