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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/eb4acae0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-c

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Lyrics
Composer
De Costa, Harry  
Lyricist
Grossman, Bernie  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Lyrics
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone Verse: The toys that brought joy to her little boy Are scattered about on the floor. The sword at his father before him had used Is gone from its place by the door. The lad, like his dad, now is sleeping, Far away, night and day, someone’s weeping. Refrain: There’s a little grey mother who waits all alone In a chill, dreary spot that was once home sweet home. While gen’rals are saying, “This fight must be won!” She’s sadly praying, “Please send back my son!” When the battles are over and peace once more reigns, When the cost and the lost will be known, Will kings give a thought to the heartaches they’ve brought To that little grey mother alone? Verse: Each pray’r that she’d make was just for his sake, She shared all his joys and his tears. At the thought of his manhood her heart beat with pride, While dreaming of his sweet future years. But now there’s a brow marked with yearning, For the boy who will never be returning. 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 17, Folder 3
Local Identifier
2014_12996_453
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone
Composer
De Costa, Harry  
Lyricist
Grossman, Bernie  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1915  
Date of Copyright
1915-07-24
Lyrics
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone Verse: The toys that brought joy to her little boy Are scattered about on the floor. The sword at his father before him had used Is gone from its place by the door. The lad, like his dad, now is sleeping, Far away, night and day, someone’s weeping. Refrain: There’s a little grey mother who waits all alone In a chill, dreary spot that was once home sweet home. While gen’rals are saying, “This fight must be won!” She’s sadly praying, “Please send back my son!” When the battles are over and peace once more reigns, When the cost and the lost will be known, Will kings give a thought to the heartaches they’ve brought To that little grey mother alone? Verse: Each pray’r that she’d make was just for his sake, She shared all his joys and his tears. At the thought of his manhood her heart beat with pride, While dreaming of his sweet future years. But now there’s a brow marked with yearning, For the boy who will never be returning. 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 17, Folder 3
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_453
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleThe Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone
ComposerDe Costa, Harry  
LyricistGrossman, Bernie  
PublisherM. Witmark & Sons  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1915  
Date of Copyright1915-07-24
LyricsThe Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone Verse: The toys that brought joy to her little boy Are scattered about on the floor. The sword at his father before him had used Is gone from its place by the door. The lad, like his dad, now is sleeping, Far away, night and day, someone’s weeping. Refrain: There’s a little grey mother who waits all alone In a chill, dreary spot that was once home sweet home. While gen’rals are saying, “This fight must be won!” She’s sadly praying, “Please send back my son!” When the battles are over and peace once more reigns, When the cost and the lost will be known, Will kings give a thought to the heartaches they’ve brought To that little grey mother alone? Verse: Each pray’r that she’d make was just for his sake, She shared all his joys and his tears. At the thought of his manhood her heart beat with pride, While dreaming of his sweet future years. But now there’s a brow marked with yearning, For the boy who will never be returning. Refrain
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 17, Folder 3
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_453
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
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Page 4
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Page 5
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
The Little Grey Mother Who Waits All Alone - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.