University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Old Glory Goes Marching On

Title
Old Glory Goes Marching On - Lyrics
Composer
Klickmann, F. Henri  
Lyricist
Armstrong, Paul B.  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.   
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Lyrics
  • Tyranny’s foe, the champion of right, who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. Refrain
  • The flag that never knew defeat, Old Glory goes marching on. Verse: Brightly it shines with liberty’s light, bringing new hope to victims of might
  • Spotless white for purity, the souls of soldier dead. Azure blue for fearless truth, the promise of the dawn
  • Eternal justice for you and me, who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. Refrain: Crimson red for sacrifice, the blood of heroes shed
  • Old Glory Goes Marching On Verse: Proudly it waves, the flag of the free, never dishonored on land or sea
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 18, Folder 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_556
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/edaa2ad0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-d

Descriptive Information

Title
Old Glory Goes Marching On
Alternative Title
The Flag That Never Knew Defeat: Old Glory Goes Marching On
Composer
Klickmann, F. Henri  
Lyricist
Armstrong, Paul B.  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co. [McKinley Music Co., Owners]  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-04-10
Physical Description
1 score ([1], 2–3, [1] p.). Folio.
Comment
Marketed continuously from June 1918 through May 1919, and with a second printing issued near the end of 1918 (or early 1919), this title nevertheless made its impact primarily in instrumental (band) arrangements, widely played in 1918–20, recorded twice, and with documented performances as late as 1942.
Historical Note
  • A second printing followed, identical except for the back cover, which establishes that it was issued after November 1918. The cover photograph was widely reproduced
  • it was taken in November 1917 from a naval plane, according to inscriptions on postcards and posters. The song was included in McKinley’s Army and Navy Song Folio No. 1 (August 1918). An arrangement for band was issued before December 1918. There were at least two recordings: by Dabney’s Band on Aeolian-Vocalion AV 12167, released in August 1919
  • and by the 158th Infantry US Army Band, recorded in France after the war and released on Disque Pathé 8271.
Musical Note
Marketed as a one-step in duple meter, this march song displayes the usual characteristics: syncopation, rat-a-tat-tat figures, and skilled and extensive chromatic inflections.
Subject - Topic
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Patriotic music -- United States  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Great Lakes Naval Training Center (Great Lakes, Ill.)  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Lyrics
  • Old Glory Goes Marching On [Verse] Proudly it waves, the flag of the free, Never dishonored on land or sea
  • Eternal justice for you and me, Who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. [Refrain] Crimson red for sacrifice, the blood of heroes shed
  • Spotless white for purity, the souls of soldier dead. Azure blue for fearless truth, the promise of the dawn
  • The flag that never knew defeat, Old Glory goes marching on. [Verse] Brightly it shines with liberty’s light, Bringing new hope to victims of might
  • Tyranny’s foe, the champion of right, Who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. [Refrain]
Musical Genre
  • March song
  • One-step
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover Description
  • Photograph of blue jackets (sailors), saluting, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, in a formation depicting the American flag
  • art deco border, as if a picture frame, decorated with stars.
Back Cover Description
The refrain, arranged for four-part male chorus, with distribution for mixed chorus indicated. Below is “The Living Flag,” an account of the photograph on the front cover.
Performance Medium
voice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 18, Folder 9
Local Identifier
2014_12996_556
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleOld Glory Goes Marching On
Alternative TitleThe Flag That Never Knew Defeat: Old Glory Goes Marching On
ComposerKlickmann, F. Henri  
LyricistArmstrong, Paul B.  
PublisherFrank K. Root & Co. [McKinley Music Co., Owners]  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-04-10
Physical Description1 score ([1], 2–3, [1] p.). Folio.
CommentMarketed continuously from June 1918 through May 1919, and with a second printing issued near the end of 1918 (or early 1919), this title nevertheless made its impact primarily in instrumental (band) arrangements, widely played in 1918–20, recorded twice, and with documented performances as late as 1942.
Historical Note
  • A second printing followed, identical except for the back cover, which establishes that it was issued after November 1918. The cover photograph was widely reproduced
  • it was taken in November 1917 from a naval plane, according to inscriptions on postcards and posters. The song was included in McKinley’s Army and Navy Song Folio No. 1 (August 1918). An arrangement for band was issued before December 1918. There were at least two recordings: by Dabney’s Band on Aeolian-Vocalion AV 12167, released in August 1919
  • and by the 158th Infantry US Army Band, recorded in France after the war and released on Disque Pathé 8271.
Musical NoteMarketed as a one-step in duple meter, this march song displayes the usual characteristics: syncopation, rat-a-tat-tat figures, and skilled and extensive chromatic inflections.
Subject - Topic
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Patriotic music -- United States  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Great Lakes Naval Training Center (Great Lakes, Ill.)  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Lyrics
  • Old Glory Goes Marching On [Verse] Proudly it waves, the flag of the free, Never dishonored on land or sea
  • Eternal justice for you and me, Who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. [Refrain] Crimson red for sacrifice, the blood of heroes shed
  • Spotless white for purity, the souls of soldier dead. Azure blue for fearless truth, the promise of the dawn
  • The flag that never knew defeat, Old Glory goes marching on. [Verse] Brightly it shines with liberty’s light, Bringing new hope to victims of might
  • Tyranny’s foe, the champion of right, Who will defend it, will you? The red, the white, the blue. [Refrain]
Musical Genre
  • March song
  • One-step
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover Description
  • Photograph of blue jackets (sailors), saluting, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, in a formation depicting the American flag
  • art deco border, as if a picture frame, decorated with stars.
Back Cover DescriptionThe refrain, arranged for four-part male chorus, with distribution for mixed chorus indicated. Below is “The Living Flag,” an account of the photograph on the front cover.
Performance Mediumvoice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 18, Folder 9
Local Identifier2014_12996_556
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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