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The American Legion

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/eec644a0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-0

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
The American Legion - Lyrics
Composer
Shearer, James L.  
Lyricist
Shearer, James L.  
Publisher
J. L. Shearer Music Co. Inc.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1919  
Lyrics
  • When the Eagle saw the world totter, in the struggle for right against might, the American Legion Forces threw themselves into the thickest fight. Ever forward, without retreat, for humanity, thousands gladly died
  • millions suffered and were prepared to sacrefice [sic] all by their side. Hail, hail, hail, to Uncle Sam’s boys in khaki and blue, they saved the world for freedom and all that’s right and true
  • the American Legion forever will live, their help and their lives they’ll freely give, to throttle those who would drag in the dust the flag of the free, the brave and the just. How they flocked from city and country, drawn from ev’ry race and ev’ry creed
  • brave Americans, endless number, so loyal, noble and without greed
  • all will rally to give their help, in their fight for right, not for party gain, coming ages, as yet unborn will sing their praise for lasting fame.
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 12, Folder 5
Local Identifier
2014_12996_056
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
The American Legion
Composer
Shearer, James L.  
Lyricist
Shearer, James L.  
Publisher
James L. Shearer Music Publishing Co., Inc.  
Place of Publication
New York  
Publisher Address
145 W. 45 St.  
Year of Publication
1919  
Date of Copyright
1919-11-4
Comment
Shearer displayed both ingenuity and persistence in promoting this, one of his earliest titles. He persuaded the American Legion to officially adopt the song, sending a reported ten thousand copies of his song to posts around the country and claiming in March 1920 that his song was being used in six thousand of them, and he marketed the music successfully to several piano roll manufacturers. As a result, he greatly outstripped most of the competition; of the many contemporaneous "American Legion" titles, his was probably surpassed in popularity only by Carl Vandersloot's march.
Historical Note
  • This is the only known printing, but an arrangement for theatre orchestra was published, bearing a copyright date of 1919. The lyrics also appeared in newspapers, usually with an added third verse. No recordings have been found, but at least five piano rolls were issued, all in the first half of 1920. Shearer founded a short-lived publishing firm in late 1919, which briefly but persistently plugged and advertised the title in The Billboard. The song was performed as early as November 7, but subsequent performances are difficult to identify, since by December there were several publications bearing the same title. A home-town newspaper claimed in December 1919 that Shearer’s song was being rendered by "hundreds of vaudeville acts and concert singers."
  • Shearer served in the 311th infantry, was sent to France, and was reportedly injured, though military records do not confirm that he served in battle. A contemporaneous report asserts that this song, and others, were written while he was convalescing in a French hospital. He returned to the States after the war still with the rank of Private but as a member of the "78th Division Show Troupe."
  • The copyright is for the manuscript, and the registration lists George F. Briegel as the arranger. Briegel, a well-known New York bandsman, is not credited on the sheet music; however, the composer's credit on p. [3] reads "Lyrics & Melody by James L. Shearer," perhaps implying that the arrangement is by someone else.
Musical Note
A vigorous march, this title is energized by fanfare figures throughout, rat-a-tat rhythms, and a strategic use of walking bass. Syncopation in the verse borders on ragtime, but the refrain is more foursquare, and the penultimate line arrives at a fermata, momentarily dampening the verve.
Subject - Topic
  • Marches (Voice with piano)  
  • American Legion -- Songs and music.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] How they flocked from city and country, Drawn from ev'ry race and ev'ry creed; Brave Americans, endless number; / So loyal, noble and without greed; / All will rally, to give their help, In their fight for right, not for party gain, Coming ages, As yet unborn will sing their praise for lasting fame;
  • [refrain 1] Hail, hail, hail, to Uncle Sam's Boys in Khaki and Blue / They saved the world for freedom / And all that's right and true / The American Legion forever will live / Their help and their lives they'll freely give / To throttle those who would drag in the dust The flag of the Free, the Brave and the Just.
  • [verse 1] When the Eagle saw the world totter / In the struggle for right against might, / The American Legion Forces / Threw themselves into the thickest fight / Ever forward, without retreat / For humanity, thousands gladly died / Millions suffered And were prepared to sacrefice [sic] all by their side.
Musical Genre
March song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Cover Description
  • Bottom, above publisher: Price Sixty cents
  • Center, below composer: 311th Infantry, A. E. F. / Composer of / Childhood Memories
  • Text only, in simple border, with double chevrons as ornaments. Red and black on white; unsigned.
Back Cover Description
Cover: Childhood Memories (© 1919 11 24)
Interior Description
  • Plate numbers: pp. 4-6, BL: The American Legion-4
  • Plate numbers: pp. [3]-6, BR: 705-4
  • p. [7]: Blank.
  • p. [2]: Blank.
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 5
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_056
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleThe American Legion
ComposerShearer, James L.  
LyricistShearer, James L.  
PublisherJames L. Shearer Music Publishing Co., Inc.  
Place of PublicationNew York  
Publisher Address145 W. 45 St.  
Year of Publication1919  
Date of Copyright1919-11-4
CommentShearer displayed both ingenuity and persistence in promoting this, one of his earliest titles. He persuaded the American Legion to officially adopt the song, sending a reported ten thousand copies of his song to posts around the country and claiming in March 1920 that his song was being used in six thousand of them, and he marketed the music successfully to several piano roll manufacturers. As a result, he greatly outstripped most of the competition; of the many contemporaneous "American Legion" titles, his was probably surpassed in popularity only by Carl Vandersloot's march.
Historical Note
  • This is the only known printing, but an arrangement for theatre orchestra was published, bearing a copyright date of 1919. The lyrics also appeared in newspapers, usually with an added third verse. No recordings have been found, but at least five piano rolls were issued, all in the first half of 1920. Shearer founded a short-lived publishing firm in late 1919, which briefly but persistently plugged and advertised the title in The Billboard. The song was performed as early as November 7, but subsequent performances are difficult to identify, since by December there were several publications bearing the same title. A home-town newspaper claimed in December 1919 that Shearer’s song was being rendered by "hundreds of vaudeville acts and concert singers."
  • Shearer served in the 311th infantry, was sent to France, and was reportedly injured, though military records do not confirm that he served in battle. A contemporaneous report asserts that this song, and others, were written while he was convalescing in a French hospital. He returned to the States after the war still with the rank of Private but as a member of the "78th Division Show Troupe."
  • The copyright is for the manuscript, and the registration lists George F. Briegel as the arranger. Briegel, a well-known New York bandsman, is not credited on the sheet music; however, the composer's credit on p. [3] reads "Lyrics & Melody by James L. Shearer," perhaps implying that the arrangement is by someone else.
Musical NoteA vigorous march, this title is energized by fanfare figures throughout, rat-a-tat rhythms, and a strategic use of walking bass. Syncopation in the verse borders on ragtime, but the refrain is more foursquare, and the penultimate line arrives at a fermata, momentarily dampening the verve.
Subject - Topic
  • Marches (Voice with piano)  
  • American Legion -- Songs and music.  
  • Patriotic music -- United States.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] How they flocked from city and country, Drawn from ev'ry race and ev'ry creed; Brave Americans, endless number; / So loyal, noble and without greed; / All will rally, to give their help, In their fight for right, not for party gain, Coming ages, As yet unborn will sing their praise for lasting fame;
  • [refrain 1] Hail, hail, hail, to Uncle Sam's Boys in Khaki and Blue / They saved the world for freedom / And all that's right and true / The American Legion forever will live / Their help and their lives they'll freely give / To throttle those who would drag in the dust The flag of the Free, the Brave and the Just.
  • [verse 1] When the Eagle saw the world totter / In the struggle for right against might, / The American Legion Forces / Threw themselves into the thickest fight / Ever forward, without retreat / For humanity, thousands gladly died / Millions suffered And were prepared to sacrefice [sic] all by their side.
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Cover Description
  • Bottom, above publisher: Price Sixty cents
  • Center, below composer: 311th Infantry, A. E. F. / Composer of / Childhood Memories
  • Text only, in simple border, with double chevrons as ornaments. Red and black on white; unsigned.
Back Cover DescriptionCover: Childhood Memories (© 1919 11 24)
Interior Description
  • Plate numbers: pp. 4-6, BL: The American Legion-4
  • Plate numbers: pp. [3]-6, BR: 705-4
  • p. [7]: Blank.
  • p. [2]: Blank.
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 5
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_056
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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