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Back in the Old Town Tonight

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/efbe5da0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-a

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
Back in the Old Town Tonight - Lyrics
Composer
Lange, Arthur  
Lyricist
Branen, Jeff  
Publisher
Joe Morris Music Co.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1916  
Lyrics
  • With a tear and a sigh and a prayer to Him on high, he said to us: “Goodbye,” he said to us: “Goodbye.” Threw a kiss to a miss as he heard the bugle’s call, and with his regiment he started out. All along the line he heard the people shout. He’s only a soldier with gun on his shoulder, he goes marching away to war
  • with colors a-flying and valor undying, he knows what a soldier’s for. He’s crossing the border, he’s marching in order, he’s just spoiling for a fight. For a battle he is aching, while a mother’s heart is breaking, back in the old town tonight. He’s a lad, understand, but a credit to our land, we’re glad to shake his hand, we’re glad to shake his hand. Ev’ry one who’s a son of this dear old land of ours, when we’re at war would gladly march along, with the lad who’s for his country right or wrong.
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 9
Local Identifier
2014_12996_060
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
Back in the Old Town Tonight
Composer
Lange, Arthur  
Lyricist
Branen, Jeff  
Publisher
Joe Morris Music Co.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1916  
Date of Copyright
1916-06-30
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] He's a lad, understand, but a credit to our land / We're glad to shake his hand, / We're glad to shake his hand. / Ev'ry one who's a son of this dear old land of ours, / When we're at war would gladly march along / With the lad who's for his country right or wrong.
  • He’s only a soldier with gun on his shoulder / He goes marching away to war / With colors a-flying and valor undying, / He knows what a soldier's for. / He's crossing the border, He's marching in order, / He's just spoiling for a fight. / For a battle he is aching While a mother's heart is breaking / Back in the old town tonight.
  • [verse 1] With a tear and a sigh and a prayer to Him on high, / He said to us: "Goodbye," / He said to us: "Goodbye." / Threw a kiss to a Miss as he heard the bugle's call, / And with his regiment he started out. / All along the line he heard the people shout.
Musical Genre
March song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_060
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleBack in the Old Town Tonight
ComposerLange, Arthur  
LyricistBranen, Jeff  
PublisherJoe Morris Music Co.  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1916  
Date of Copyright1916-06-30
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] He's a lad, understand, but a credit to our land / We're glad to shake his hand, / We're glad to shake his hand. / Ev'ry one who's a son of this dear old land of ours, / When we're at war would gladly march along / With the lad who's for his country right or wrong.
  • He’s only a soldier with gun on his shoulder / He goes marching away to war / With colors a-flying and valor undying, / He knows what a soldier's for. / He's crossing the border, He's marching in order, / He's just spoiling for a fight. / For a battle he is aching While a mother's heart is breaking / Back in the old town tonight.
  • [verse 1] With a tear and a sigh and a prayer to Him on high, / He said to us: "Goodbye," / He said to us: "Goodbye." / Threw a kiss to a Miss as he heard the bugle's call, / And with his regiment he started out. / All along the line he heard the people shout.
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_060
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Cover
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Page 2
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Page 3
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Page 4
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Page 5
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Back Cover
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Back in the Old Town Tonight - Lyrics
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