University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

The items in the Digital Collections of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language. The Library condemns discrimination and hatred on any grounds. As a research library that supports the mission and values of this land grant institution, it is incumbent upon the University Library to preserve, describe, and provide access to materials to accurately document our past, support learning about it, and effect change in the present. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, we do not censor our materials or prevent patrons from accessing them.

If you have questions regarding this statement or any content in the Library’s digital collections, please contact digitalcollections@lists.illinois.edu

American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the University Library

Should the Stars in Your Service Flag Turn to Gold

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f4073be0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-c

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Lyrics
Composer
Gabriel, Charles H.  
Lyricist
Hendricks, Dora F.  
Publisher
The Rodeheaver Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Lyrics
  • Should the Stars in Your Service Flag Turn to Gold Verse: Should the stars in your service flag turn to gold
  • if from somewhere in France comes the message you fear
  • Should the anguish of death on your heart be rolled, creep close to go and you will hear, His great heart throbbing, as soft and low he whispers: “Child, I know I know! Your very best for the world you’ve done: I, also, gave my beloved Son, I also gave my beloved Son. Verse: Like a beacon in Bethlehem’s midnight sky gleam’d a star, while a wonderful chorus rang
  • Tho’ the angels could see cruel calvary, yet how glad and sweet was the song they sang! And so God’s whisper comes soft and low: “Ah, child, dear child, I know, I know! Your very best for the world you’ve done: I, also, gave my beloved Son, I, also, gave my beloved Son. Verse: Should the starts in your service flag turn to gold, the stars in the sky will reflect the brave story
  • And as long as truth lives the tale will be told by the gleam of the pure shining stars
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 20, Folder 1
Local Identifier
2014_12996_640
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
Should the Stars in Your Service Flag Turn to Gold
Composer
Gabriel, Charles H.  
Lyricist
Hendricks, Dora F.  
Publisher
The Rodeheaver Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-04-24
Physical Description
1 score ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Soldiers -- Family relationships -- Songs and music.  
  • Soldiers -- Death -- Songs and music.  
  • Sacred songs.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Should the stars in your service flag turn to gold; / If from somewhere in France comes the message you fear; / Should the anguish of death on your heart be rolled, / Creep close to God, and you will hear, / His great heart throbbing, as soft and low / He whispers: “Child, I know, I know! / your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son.
  • [verse 2] Like a beacon in Bethlehem’s midnight sky / Gleam’d a Star, while a wonderful chorus rang; / Tho’ the angels could see cruel Calvary, / Yet how glad and sweet was the song they sang! / And so God’s whisper comes soft and low: / “Ah child, dear child, I know, I know! / your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son.
  • [verse 3] Should the stars in your service flag turn to gold; / The stars in the sky will reflect the brave story; / And as long as truth live the tale will be told / By the gleam of the pure shining stars in Old Glory! / O listen and hear God whisper low: / “Yes, child, dear child, I know, I know! / Your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son, / I, also, gave my beloved Son.”
Musical Genre
Anthem
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 20, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_640
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleShould the Stars in Your Service Flag Turn to Gold
ComposerGabriel, Charles H.  
LyricistHendricks, Dora F.  
PublisherThe Rodeheaver Co.  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-04-24
Physical Description1 score ([1], 2-5, [1] p.)
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Soldiers -- Family relationships -- Songs and music.  
  • Soldiers -- Death -- Songs and music.  
  • Sacred songs.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Should the stars in your service flag turn to gold; / If from somewhere in France comes the message you fear; / Should the anguish of death on your heart be rolled, / Creep close to God, and you will hear, / His great heart throbbing, as soft and low / He whispers: “Child, I know, I know! / your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son.
  • [verse 2] Like a beacon in Bethlehem’s midnight sky / Gleam’d a Star, while a wonderful chorus rang; / Tho’ the angels could see cruel Calvary, / Yet how glad and sweet was the song they sang! / And so God’s whisper comes soft and low: / “Ah child, dear child, I know, I know! / your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son.
  • [verse 3] Should the stars in your service flag turn to gold; / The stars in the sky will reflect the brave story; / And as long as truth live the tale will be told / By the gleam of the pure shining stars in Old Glory! / O listen and hear God whisper low: / “Yes, child, dear child, I know, I know! / Your very best for the world you’ve done; / I, also, gave my beloved Son, / I, also, gave my beloved Son.”
Musical GenreAnthem
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 20, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_640
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Page 4
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Page 5
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Should The Stars In Your Service Flag Turn To Gold - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.