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America, Here's My Boy

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e8a56b80-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-1
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

This item is in the public domain.

Supplementary Document

Title
America, Here's My Boy - Lyrics
Composer
Lange, Arthur  
Lyricist
Sterling, Andrew B.  
Publisher
Joe Morris Music Co.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Local Identifier
2014_12996_030
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
America, Here's My Boy
Alternative Title
p. 2, top: "America, Here's My Boy"
Composer
Lange, Arthur  
Lyricist
Sterling, Andrew B.  
Publisher
Joe Morris Music Co.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-02-16
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Type
Musical notation  
Comment
Appearing at the peak of the preparedness movement, as American entry into the war began to seem inevitable, this hugely popular song was widely endorsed as a reply to “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier.” After the country entered the war, it became a pervasive expression of commitment, especially in renditions by the troops themselves. Its success was bolstered by recordings and piano rolls, but widespread renditions in amateur shows and fund-raising events attest to its appeal among general citizens and among American troops.
Historical Note
  • The structure of the lyrics exactly mirrors the structure of “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier,” with descriptive verses in the third person followed by a refrain in the mother’s voice. The refrain also adheres to the rhyme scheme, with a double rhyme in the penultimate line, and certain lines are direct parallels: “Place a gun upon his shoulder,” for instance, replaces “Who dares to put a musket on his shoulder.”
  • This is the seventh of nine printings, distinguished by the back covers and, in some cases, the printer’s imprint on p. 3. This printing was issued after June 18, 1917.
  • Morris promoted this title heavily and issued nine printings of the title in its first nine months; but after a year its popularity began to fade, and by the summer of 1918 it had largely been supplanted in the entertainment industry, though it remained popular in performances by amateurs and at community events. At least nine piano rolls and ten recordings were released.
Musical Note
The verse to this otherwise conventional march song is entirely in the relative minor key, and the vamp that leads into it consists of a minor-mode quotation of “Yankee Doodle,” echoed in the first line of the verse.
Repository
Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Rights Description
This item is in the public domain.
Back Cover Description
Back cover description: In frame with bells at the corners, left and above an illustration of ring and flowers, unsigned, sample: When the Parson Hands the Wedding Band from Me to Mandy Lee (© 1917 06 18).
Local Identifier
2014_12996_030
Collection Title
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAmerica, Here's My Boy
Alternative Titlep. 2, top: "America, Here's My Boy"
ComposerLange, Arthur  
LyricistSterling, Andrew B.  
PublisherJoe Morris Music Co.  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-02-16
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
TypeMusical notation  
CommentAppearing at the peak of the preparedness movement, as American entry into the war began to seem inevitable, this hugely popular song was widely endorsed as a reply to “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier.” After the country entered the war, it became a pervasive expression of commitment, especially in renditions by the troops themselves. Its success was bolstered by recordings and piano rolls, but widespread renditions in amateur shows and fund-raising events attest to its appeal among general citizens and among American troops.
Historical Note
  • The structure of the lyrics exactly mirrors the structure of “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier,” with descriptive verses in the third person followed by a refrain in the mother’s voice. The refrain also adheres to the rhyme scheme, with a double rhyme in the penultimate line, and certain lines are direct parallels: “Place a gun upon his shoulder,” for instance, replaces “Who dares to put a musket on his shoulder.”
  • This is the seventh of nine printings, distinguished by the back covers and, in some cases, the printer’s imprint on p. 3. This printing was issued after June 18, 1917.
  • Morris promoted this title heavily and issued nine printings of the title in its first nine months; but after a year its popularity began to fade, and by the summer of 1918 it had largely been supplanted in the entertainment industry, though it remained popular in performances by amateurs and at community events. At least nine piano rolls and ten recordings were released.
Musical NoteThe verse to this otherwise conventional march song is entirely in the relative minor key, and the vamp that leads into it consists of a minor-mode quotation of “Yankee Doodle,” echoed in the first line of the verse.
RepositorySousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Rights DescriptionThis item is in the public domain.
Back Cover DescriptionBack cover description: In frame with bells at the corners, left and above an illustration of ring and flowers, unsigned, sample: When the Parson Hands the Wedding Band from Me to Mandy Lee (© 1917 06 18).
Local Identifier2014_12996_030
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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America, Here's My Boy - Lyrics
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