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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

If I'm Not at the Roll Call

Permalink

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

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

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
Rights
No Copyright - United States
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

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
Rights
No Copyright - United States
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
RightsNo Copyright - United States
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

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
If I'm Not At the Roll Call Kiss Mother Good-Bye For Me - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.