University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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If I'm Not at the Roll Call

Title
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Lyrics
Composer
Boyden, George L.  
Lyricist
Boyden, George L.  
Publisher
Garton Brothers  
Place of Publication
Boston (Mass.)  
Lyrics
  • If I’m not at the Roll-Call (Kiss Mother Goodbye for Me) Verse: ‘Twas just before the battle boys, That day I’ll ne’er forget, A lad beside me in the trench as brave as I have met
  • Tho’ death was near, he had no fear, ‘Twas very plain to see, For just before the battle charge, He smilingly said to me: Refrain: “If I am not at the roll call, After the fighting is done, Won’t you be kind to my mother, Just for her soldier son? Tell her I know how she loves me, And prays for me constantly, May angels attend her, Brave comrade, befriend her, And kiss her goodbye for me.” Verse: We all felt glad our little lad, Came thru the fight all right. His courage in the battle gave us help to win the fight. It made his dear old mother’s heart, As proud as it could be
  • I wrote and told her the words, Her brave boy had said to me: Refrain
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
Local Identifier
2014_12996_354
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e90afb60-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-7

Descriptive Information

Title
If I'm Not at the Roll Call
Composer
Boyden, George L.  
Lyricist
Boyden, George L.  
Publisher
Garton Brothers  
Place of Publication
Boston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
No copyright registered.
Lyrics
  • I wrote and told her the words, Her brave boy had said to me: Refrain
  • Tho’ death was near, he had no fear, ‘Twas very plain to see, For just before the battle charge, He smilingly said to me: Refrain: “If I am not at the roll call, After the fighting is done, Won’t you be kind to my mother, Just for her soldier son? Tell her I know how she loves me, And prays for me constantly, May angels attend her, Brave comrade, befriend her, And kiss her goodbye for me.” Verse: We all felt glad our little lad, Came thru the fight all right. His courage in the battle gave us help to win the fight. It made his dear old mother’s heart, As proud as it could be
  • If I’m not at the Roll-Call (Kiss Mother Goodbye for Me) Verse: ‘Twas just before the battle boys, That day I’ll ne’er forget, A lad beside me in the trench as brave as I have met
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_354
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleIf I'm Not at the Roll Call
ComposerBoyden, George L.  
LyricistBoyden, George L.  
PublisherGarton Brothers  
Place of PublicationBoston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of CopyrightNo copyright registered.
Lyrics
  • I wrote and told her the words, Her brave boy had said to me: Refrain
  • Tho’ death was near, he had no fear, ‘Twas very plain to see, For just before the battle charge, He smilingly said to me: Refrain: “If I am not at the roll call, After the fighting is done, Won’t you be kind to my mother, Just for her soldier son? Tell her I know how she loves me, And prays for me constantly, May angels attend her, Brave comrade, befriend her, And kiss her goodbye for me.” Verse: We all felt glad our little lad, Came thru the fight all right. His courage in the battle gave us help to win the fight. It made his dear old mother’s heart, As proud as it could be
  • If I’m not at the Roll-Call (Kiss Mother Goodbye for Me) Verse: ‘Twas just before the battle boys, That day I’ll ne’er forget, A lad beside me in the trench as brave as I have met
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_354
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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