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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

America

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f4de50e0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-5

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Lyrics
Composer
Tennant, Gilbert C.  
Lyricist
Tennant, Gilbert C.  
Publisher
The Key Music Pub. Co. (Baltimore, MD)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
  • America I’m Coming Back to You Verse: While I lay a sleep in a land far away, there came a dream to me It was a wonderful dream I must say of my home across the sea Sailing once more for American shore
  • returning with victory too: Then I opened my eyes and to my great surprise, God had made my dream come true Refrain: America, America, I’m coming back to you I love the dear old U.S.A, Where hearts are fond and true From East to West I love you best
  • no other land would do, So stretch out your arms America I’m coming back to you. Verse: The cannon mad roar you can hear that no more nor scream of bursting shell Hearts are at ease, peace floats on ev’ery breeze but there’s much that’s left to tell Soon they’ll be home from afar cross the foam and each one a hero will be So I just lift up your voice let our million rejoice, when they sing this melody Refrain
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 21, Folder 1
Local Identifier
2014_12996_687
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
America
Alternative Title
  • p. 2, top: America / I'm coming back to you
  • Cover: America (I'm coming back to you)
Composer
Tennant, Gilbert C.  
Lyricist
Tennant, Gilbert C.  
Publisher
Baltimore : The Key Music Pub. Co.  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
No copyright registered.
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Comment
This song seems to have had virtually no impact; relatively few copies survive (though there were two printings), and it received no mention in trade journals or newspapers.
Historical Note
  • There were no recordings or piano rolls made, nor have any performances been identified.
  • This is the first of two printings; the second corrects two small errors on the cover.
  • On the basis of the text, this publication clearly postdates November 11, 1918, when peace was declared.
Musical Note
A march song, but distinguished by the incorporation of "semi-high-class" elements: the verse modulates extensively and makes extensive use of the parallel and relative minor keys, and the chorus, though more conventional, includes secondary dominants and chromatic inflections. A rat-a-tat-tat figure appears at the end of several lines, and the opening of "Dixie" is quoted in the bass after the first line of the chorus.
Subject - Topic
  • Home -- Songs and music.  
  • Homecoming -- Songs and music.  
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music  
  • Peace -- Songs and music.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Armistices -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] The cannons mad roar you can hear that no more / Nor scream of bursting shell / Hearts are at ease, peace floats on ev'ery breeze / but there's much that's left to tell / Soon they'll be home from afar cross the foam / And each one a Hero will be / So just lift up your voice let our million rejoice, / When they sing this melody
  • [refrain 1] America, America, I'm coming back to you / I love the dear old U. S. A. / Where hearts are fond and true / From East to West I love you best; / No other land would do, / So stretch out your arms America / I'm coming back to you.
  • [verse 1] While I lay a sleep in a land far away, / There came a dream to me / It was a wonderful dream I must say / of my home across the sea / Sailing once more for American shore; / Returning with victory too: / Then I opened my eyes and to my great surprise, / God had made my dream come true.
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
Text only, with small art deco ornament below the composer and list of songs.
Back Cover Description
Text: That’s a mother’s reward from her son (© 1917 04 24).
Interior Description
  • Plate number: p. 3, BL: America 2
  • Plate number: p. 2, BL: 2
  • Cover, below composer: Writers of / "When the Sun Goes Down in France" / "When God Turns the Trenches to Gardens Again"
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 21, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_687
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAmerica
Alternative Title
  • p. 2, top: America / I'm coming back to you
  • Cover: America (I'm coming back to you)
ComposerTennant, Gilbert C.  
LyricistTennant, Gilbert C.  
PublisherBaltimore : The Key Music Pub. Co.  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of CopyrightNo copyright registered.
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
CommentThis song seems to have had virtually no impact; relatively few copies survive (though there were two printings), and it received no mention in trade journals or newspapers.
Historical Note
  • There were no recordings or piano rolls made, nor have any performances been identified.
  • This is the first of two printings; the second corrects two small errors on the cover.
  • On the basis of the text, this publication clearly postdates November 11, 1918, when peace was declared.
Musical NoteA march song, but distinguished by the incorporation of "semi-high-class" elements: the verse modulates extensively and makes extensive use of the parallel and relative minor keys, and the chorus, though more conventional, includes secondary dominants and chromatic inflections. A rat-a-tat-tat figure appears at the end of several lines, and the opening of "Dixie" is quoted in the bass after the first line of the chorus.
Subject - Topic
  • Home -- Songs and music.  
  • Homecoming -- Songs and music.  
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music  
  • Peace -- Songs and music.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Armistices -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] The cannons mad roar you can hear that no more / Nor scream of bursting shell / Hearts are at ease, peace floats on ev'ery breeze / but there's much that's left to tell / Soon they'll be home from afar cross the foam / And each one a Hero will be / So just lift up your voice let our million rejoice, / When they sing this melody
  • [refrain 1] America, America, I'm coming back to you / I love the dear old U. S. A. / Where hearts are fond and true / From East to West I love you best; / No other land would do, / So stretch out your arms America / I'm coming back to you.
  • [verse 1] While I lay a sleep in a land far away, / There came a dream to me / It was a wonderful dream I must say / of my home across the sea / Sailing once more for American shore; / Returning with victory too: / Then I opened my eyes and to my great surprise, / God had made my dream come true.
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Cover DescriptionText only, with small art deco ornament below the composer and list of songs.
Back Cover DescriptionText: That’s a mother’s reward from her son (© 1917 04 24).
Interior Description
  • Plate number: p. 3, BL: America 2
  • Plate number: p. 2, BL: 2
  • Cover, below composer: Writers of / "When the Sun Goes Down in France" / "When God Turns the Trenches to Gardens Again"
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 21, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_687
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
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
America (I'm Coming Back to You) - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.