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America Never Took Water

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/edc94170-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-4

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
America Never Took Water - Lyrics
Composer
  • Cunningham, Paul  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
Lyricist
  • Cunningham, Paul  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Lyrics
  • when someone said, the country’s going dry, they listened then they all began to cry. Why America never took water, so why should she take it now. England gave us ale and porter, to drink their wines the French have taught us how. Of water in the trenches, we surely had our fill, so we can’t understand why you should hand it to us still, for America never took water, and America never will! One fighting Yank said, “If such is the case, this is no place then for me! I’m going back again, back o’er the sea, where I can live happily.” His comrades said, “Before you start to go, it seems to us it’s time you ought to know.” Why America never took water, so why should she take it now. England gave us ale and porter, to drink their wines the French have taught us how. Old Jack and Jill took water, that’s why they took a spill, the same thing’s apt to happen to this famous drinking bill, for America never took water, and America never will!
  • Slowly but surely a transport of joy, docked at her pier up the bay. “Tell us the news old pal, we’ve been away!” That’s what each boy seemed to say
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 5
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_053
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
America Never Took Water
Alternative Title
Cover, p. 2, top: America Never Took Water / And America Never Will
Composer
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Cunningham, Paul  
Lyricist
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Cunningham, Paul  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1919  
Date of Copyright
1919-03-07
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Comment
The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified on January 16, 1919, and this song was probably written shortly afterwards. Because the topic was so immediate, Witmark rushed it into production and promotion, It enjoyed short-lived but intense popularity, primarily in vaudeville; interest waned after March 1919, as enforcement of the Wartime Prohibition Act—effectively the first step to prohibition—approached. After July, with that act in place and total prohibition to come six months later, the song quickly receded from view.
Historical Note
  • This is the second variant of the second of three printings, distinguished only by front and back covers. Witmark also copyrighted an arrangement for voice and orchestra by George J. Trinkhaus on March 17, an arrangement for full orchestra by William Schultz on May 7, and an arrangement for band by T. M. Taylor on August 12.
  • Belle Baker introduced this song on February 10, 1919, over three weeks before copyright was registered. Promoted by a full-page advertisement in The New York Clipper February 19, by the end of the month it had been taken up by dozens of headliners, including Sophie Tucker, Eva Tanguay, and Ed Morton. Enthusiasm continued through March, when Gus Edwards featured the song in his new revue, but it waned rapidly after the start of April. Witmark copyrighted mechanical rights on March 12, in anticipation of a March recording by Irving Kaufman (released by Aeolian Vocalion) at the start of May and an April Rythmodik piano roll played by Donald Makay.
Musical Note
A typical novelty one- or two-step in 2/4, animated by pervasive mild syncopation and many chromatic inflections; a ritard and fermata at the climax, with an ossia high note at the end.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Prohibition -- Songs and music.  
  • Veterans -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Novelty songs.  
  • Humorous songs.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Slowly but surely a transport of joy, / Docked at her pier up the bay. / "Tell us the news old pal, we've been away!" / That's what each boy seemed to say; / When someone said the country's going dry, / They listened then they all began to cry.
  • [refrain 1] Why America never took water, / So why should she take it now. / England gave us Ale and Porter, / To drink their wines the French have taught us how. / Of water in the trenches, We surely had our fill, / So we can't understand why you should hand it to us still, / For America never took water, / And America never will!
  • [verse 2] One fighting Yank said, "If such is the case, / This is no place then for me! / I'm going back again, back o'er the sea, / Where I can live happily." / His comrades said, "before you start to go, / It seems to us it's time you ought to know. /
  • [refrain 2] That America never took water, / So why should she take it now. / England gave us Ale and Porter, / To drink their wines the French have taught us how. / Old Jack and Jill took water, / That's why they took a spill, / The same thing's apt to happen to this famous drinking bill, / For America never took water, / And America never will!
Musical Genre
Novelty song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Cover Description
Photo inset of Belle Baker, framed by a chain and anchors, seagulls above. Blue and gray on white; unsigned.
Back Cover Description
In a simple border, text and sample: My Rosary for You (© 1916 06 20).
Interior Description
Plate numbers, pp. 2, 3, BR: M.W.&Sons 15953-2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 5
Local Identifier
2014_12996_053
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAmerica Never Took Water
Alternative TitleCover, p. 2, top: America Never Took Water / And America Never Will
Composer
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Cunningham, Paul  
Lyricist
  • Brennan, J. Keirn  
  • Edwards, Gus  
  • Cunningham, Paul  
PublisherM. Witmark & Sons  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1919  
Date of Copyright1919-03-07
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
CommentThe eighteenth amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified on January 16, 1919, and this song was probably written shortly afterwards. Because the topic was so immediate, Witmark rushed it into production and promotion, It enjoyed short-lived but intense popularity, primarily in vaudeville; interest waned after March 1919, as enforcement of the Wartime Prohibition Act—effectively the first step to prohibition—approached. After July, with that act in place and total prohibition to come six months later, the song quickly receded from view.
Historical Note
  • This is the second variant of the second of three printings, distinguished only by front and back covers. Witmark also copyrighted an arrangement for voice and orchestra by George J. Trinkhaus on March 17, an arrangement for full orchestra by William Schultz on May 7, and an arrangement for band by T. M. Taylor on August 12.
  • Belle Baker introduced this song on February 10, 1919, over three weeks before copyright was registered. Promoted by a full-page advertisement in The New York Clipper February 19, by the end of the month it had been taken up by dozens of headliners, including Sophie Tucker, Eva Tanguay, and Ed Morton. Enthusiasm continued through March, when Gus Edwards featured the song in his new revue, but it waned rapidly after the start of April. Witmark copyrighted mechanical rights on March 12, in anticipation of a March recording by Irving Kaufman (released by Aeolian Vocalion) at the start of May and an April Rythmodik piano roll played by Donald Makay.
Musical NoteA typical novelty one- or two-step in 2/4, animated by pervasive mild syncopation and many chromatic inflections; a ritard and fermata at the climax, with an ossia high note at the end.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Prohibition -- Songs and music.  
  • Veterans -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Novelty songs.  
  • Humorous songs.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Slowly but surely a transport of joy, / Docked at her pier up the bay. / "Tell us the news old pal, we've been away!" / That's what each boy seemed to say; / When someone said the country's going dry, / They listened then they all began to cry.
  • [refrain 1] Why America never took water, / So why should she take it now. / England gave us Ale and Porter, / To drink their wines the French have taught us how. / Of water in the trenches, We surely had our fill, / So we can't understand why you should hand it to us still, / For America never took water, / And America never will!
  • [verse 2] One fighting Yank said, "If such is the case, / This is no place then for me! / I'm going back again, back o'er the sea, / Where I can live happily." / His comrades said, "before you start to go, / It seems to us it's time you ought to know. /
  • [refrain 2] That America never took water, / So why should she take it now. / England gave us Ale and Porter, / To drink their wines the French have taught us how. / Old Jack and Jill took water, / That's why they took a spill, / The same thing's apt to happen to this famous drinking bill, / For America never took water, / And America never will!
Musical GenreNovelty song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Cover DescriptionPhoto inset of Belle Baker, framed by a chain and anchors, seagulls above. Blue and gray on white; unsigned.
Back Cover DescriptionIn a simple border, text and sample: My Rosary for You (© 1916 06 20).
Interior DescriptionPlate numbers, pp. 2, 3, BR: M.W.&Sons 15953-2
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 5
Local Identifier2014_12996_053
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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