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Boy of Mine

Title
Boy of Mine - Lyrics
Composer
Graham, Mercy P.  
Lyricist
Wallace, Brenta F.  
Publisher
French & Lloyd  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
While we are sleeping, perhaps you are creeping out in the dark and treacherous night, into “No Man’s Land” with your trusty gun in hand, fighting with all your might! Thru the wire entanglements, amid the falling shell, come, the foeman, to expel! Boy of mine, boy of mine, do you know our hearts glow as you sow, the harvesting of peace for humanity, the blessings of a lasting victory? Boy of mine, boy of mine, let your courage prove so true, that the whole shall be heav’n on earth, oh, boy of mine, I’ll pray for you. Here at home we’re keeping the dear old hearth fire leaping brightly in flaming crimson and gold, so that you returning may gladden its burning, sharing its warmth as of old. Tho’ you’re seared and worn, my dear, we want you with a will, come your vacant place to fill!
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 9
Local Identifier
2014_12996_076
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f3a84ad0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-3

Descriptive Information

Title
Boy of Mine
Composer
Graham, Mercy P. [Priscilla]  
Lyricist
Wallace, Brenta F.  
Publisher
French & Lloyd  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-09-05
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([2], 3-5, [1] p.)
Historical Note
Mercy P. Graham was born Mercy Priscilla Lloyd Bateson; she married Robert Ernest Graham on September 22, 1894.
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] While we are sleeping, / Perhaps you are creeping / Out in the dark and treacherous night, / Into "No Man's Land," / with your trusty gun in hand, / Fighting with all your might! / Thru the wire entanglements / Amid the falling shell / Come, the foeman, to expel!
  • [refrain 1] Boy of mine, boy of mine, / Do you know our hearts glow as you sow / The harvesting of peace for humanity, / The blessings of a lasting victory? / Boy of mine, boy of mine, / Let your courage prove so true, / That the whole shall be heav'n on earth, / Oh, boy of mine, I'll pray for you.
  • [verse 2] Here at home we're keeping / The dear old hearth fire leaping / Brightly in flaming crimson and gold, / So that you returning / may gladden at its burning, / Sharing its warmth as of old. / Tho' you're seared and worn, my dear, / We want you with a will, / Come your vacant place to fill!
  • [refrain 2]
Musical Genre
High-class ballad
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Back Cover Description
Blank.
Interior Description
p. 2: Blank.
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_076
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleBoy of Mine
ComposerGraham, Mercy P. [Priscilla]  
LyricistWallace, Brenta F.  
PublisherFrench & Lloyd  
Place of PublicationNew York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-09-05
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([2], 3-5, [1] p.)
Historical NoteMercy P. Graham was born Mercy Priscilla Lloyd Bateson; she married Robert Ernest Graham on September 22, 1894.
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] While we are sleeping, / Perhaps you are creeping / Out in the dark and treacherous night, / Into "No Man's Land," / with your trusty gun in hand, / Fighting with all your might! / Thru the wire entanglements / Amid the falling shell / Come, the foeman, to expel!
  • [refrain 1] Boy of mine, boy of mine, / Do you know our hearts glow as you sow / The harvesting of peace for humanity, / The blessings of a lasting victory? / Boy of mine, boy of mine, / Let your courage prove so true, / That the whole shall be heav'n on earth, / Oh, boy of mine, I'll pray for you.
  • [verse 2] Here at home we're keeping / The dear old hearth fire leaping / Brightly in flaming crimson and gold, / So that you returning / may gladden at its burning, / Sharing its warmth as of old. / Tho' you're seared and worn, my dear, / We want you with a will, / Come your vacant place to fill!
  • [refrain 2]
Musical GenreHigh-class ballad
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Back Cover DescriptionBlank.
Interior Descriptionp. 2: Blank.
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 9
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_076
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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Boy of Mine - Lyrics
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