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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

I Want to Go Back To Blighty

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e8444f60-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-5

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Lyrics
Composer
Davidson, Wm. B. (Lieut.)  
Lyricist
Walker, Lee M.  
Publisher
Chappell & Co. Ltd.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
I Want to go Back to Blighty Verse: On a cold, dark night in a front line trench Crouched a soldier in the rain, In the battle’s lull his thoughts went home, And he humm’d a song’s refrain He turned his face to the somber sky As a star-bomb rent the air With the burst of the shell like a scream from Hell, From his lips there arose this prayer Refrain: Oh! I want to go back to Blighty I want to go back tonight Give me the bliss of my baby’s kiss, Then I’ll come back and fight. But I want to go back to Blighty I fear not the shrapnel’s rain Just one fond embrace, Then back to my place To fight like a soldier again Verse: Thro’ the long drear days the battle raged on, The soldier’s hope was strong, But he yearn’d for the day he would be on his way, And he sang a battle song He called to the boys in the trench by his side With a message of hope and of cheer And he said “Let us fight with all our might Then we’ll go back to those we hold dear.” 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 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_317
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
I Want to Go Back To Blighty
Composer
Davidson, Wm. B. (Lieut.)  
Lyricist
Walker, Lee M.  
Publisher
Chappell & Co. Ltd.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-06-20
Lyrics
I Want to go Back to Blighty Verse: On a cold, dark night in a front line trench Crouched a soldier in the rain, In the battle’s lull his thoughts went home, And he humm’d a song’s refrain He turned his face to the somber sky As a star-bomb rent the air With the burst of the shell like a scream from Hell, From his lips there arose this prayer Refrain: Oh! I want to go back to Blighty I want to go back tonight Give me the bliss of my baby’s kiss, Then I’ll come back and fight. But I want to go back to Blighty I fear not the shrapnel’s rain Just one fond embrace, Then back to my place To fight like a soldier again Verse: Thro’ the long drear days the battle raged on, The soldier’s hope was strong, But he yearn’d for the day he would be on his way, And he sang a battle song He called to the boys in the trench by his side With a message of hope and of cheer And he said “Let us fight with all our might Then we’ll go back to those we hold dear.” Refrain
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 9
Local Identifier
2014_12996_317
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleI Want to Go Back To Blighty
ComposerDavidson, Wm. B. (Lieut.)  
LyricistWalker, Lee M.  
PublisherChappell & Co. Ltd.  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-06-20
LyricsI Want to go Back to Blighty Verse: On a cold, dark night in a front line trench Crouched a soldier in the rain, In the battle’s lull his thoughts went home, And he humm’d a song’s refrain He turned his face to the somber sky As a star-bomb rent the air With the burst of the shell like a scream from Hell, From his lips there arose this prayer Refrain: Oh! I want to go back to Blighty I want to go back tonight Give me the bliss of my baby’s kiss, Then I’ll come back and fight. But I want to go back to Blighty I fear not the shrapnel’s rain Just one fond embrace, Then back to my place To fight like a soldier again Verse: Thro’ the long drear days the battle raged on, The soldier’s hope was strong, But he yearn’d for the day he would be on his way, And he sang a battle song He called to the boys in the trench by his side With a message of hope and of cheer And he said “Let us fight with all our might Then we’ll go back to those we hold dear.” Refrain
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 9
Local Identifier2014_12996_317
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
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 4
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 5
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 6
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Page 7
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want To Go Back To "Blighty" - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.