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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e8cf35f0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-3
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

This item is in the public domain.

Supplementary Document

Title
I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Lyrics
Composer
Keithley, E. Clinton  
Lyricist
Nathan, Casper  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Local Identifier
2014_12996_339
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You
Composer
  • Keithley, E. Clinton  
  • Alford, Harry L.  
  • Colby, Carleton L.  
Lyricist
Nathan, Casper  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1915  
Date of Copyright
1915-04-08
Physical Description
1 score ([1], 3-5 [recte 2-4], [2] p.). Folio.
Type
Musical notation  
Comment
  • The extended run of printings, the recording, the arrangement, and the parodies and reprints of the lyrics all indicate substantial popularity, though the song does not appear to have been taken up on the stage. McKinley marketed it intensely at the outset as more optimistic than sad
  • after May 7, when the Lusitania was torpedoed, the song took on new poignancy.
Historical Note
  • This is the first of four printings of this title, identical except for their their back covers, by which they can be dated
  • the last was issued after April 10, 1918. The title was thus in print for at least three years, unusually long for Root imprints. An arrangement for band by Harry L. Alford and Carleton L. Colby was issued by July 19, 1915, when a performance took place in Lowville, NY. The song was recorded by Margaret O’Connell on Pathé 10030, probably in 1915. The lyrics were parodied or reprinted in several anthologies from 1915 to 1922. The cover photograph was reused on the cover of “When a Boy Says Good Bye to His Mother and She Gives Him to Uncle Sam”.
Musical Note
A march ballad (marked “marcia”), with repetitive phrases and a walking bass, suggesting a march, the refrain of this mother song takes on aspects of a ballad, with arching melodies, chromatic inflections, and rubato. The band arrangement was marketed as a one-step.
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
Advertisement for “Our Latest Song Successes”. Four rows of samples and covers. Top row: One Wonderful Night (© 1914 02 14) The Kiss That Made You Mine (© 1915 01 30) 2nd row: Roll Along, Harvest Moon (© 1915 01 07) In the Evening by the Moonlight (© 1914 10 06) 3rd row: Sue of the Cumberlands (© 1914 12 15) In the Gloaming I Hear You Calling Me (© 1915 01 07) 4th row: The Hours I Spent with Thee (© 1914 11 10) Sing Me “The Rosary” (© 1913 02 18)
Local Identifier
2014_12996_339
Collection Title
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleI'll Return, Mother Darling, to You
Composer
  • Keithley, E. Clinton  
  • Alford, Harry L.  
  • Colby, Carleton L.  
LyricistNathan, Casper  
PublisherFrank K. Root & Co.  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1915  
Date of Copyright1915-04-08
Physical Description1 score ([1], 3-5 [recte 2-4], [2] p.). Folio.
TypeMusical notation  
Comment
  • The extended run of printings, the recording, the arrangement, and the parodies and reprints of the lyrics all indicate substantial popularity, though the song does not appear to have been taken up on the stage. McKinley marketed it intensely at the outset as more optimistic than sad
  • after May 7, when the Lusitania was torpedoed, the song took on new poignancy.
Historical Note
  • This is the first of four printings of this title, identical except for their their back covers, by which they can be dated
  • the last was issued after April 10, 1918. The title was thus in print for at least three years, unusually long for Root imprints. An arrangement for band by Harry L. Alford and Carleton L. Colby was issued by July 19, 1915, when a performance took place in Lowville, NY. The song was recorded by Margaret O’Connell on Pathé 10030, probably in 1915. The lyrics were parodied or reprinted in several anthologies from 1915 to 1922. The cover photograph was reused on the cover of “When a Boy Says Good Bye to His Mother and She Gives Him to Uncle Sam”.
Musical NoteA march ballad (marked “marcia”), with repetitive phrases and a walking bass, suggesting a march, the refrain of this mother song takes on aspects of a ballad, with arching melodies, chromatic inflections, and rubato. The band arrangement was marketed as a one-step.
RepositorySousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Rights DescriptionThis item is in the public domain.
Back Cover DescriptionAdvertisement for “Our Latest Song Successes”. Four rows of samples and covers. Top row: One Wonderful Night (© 1914 02 14) The Kiss That Made You Mine (© 1915 01 30) 2nd row: Roll Along, Harvest Moon (© 1915 01 07) In the Evening by the Moonlight (© 1914 10 06) 3rd row: Sue of the Cumberlands (© 1914 12 15) In the Gloaming I Hear You Calling Me (© 1915 01 07) 4th row: The Hours I Spent with Thee (© 1914 11 10) Sing Me “The Rosary” (© 1913 02 18)
Local Identifier2014_12996_339
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Cover
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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Page 3
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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Page 4
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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Page 5
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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Back Cover
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I'll Return, Mother Darling, to You - Lyrics
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