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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

I Want My Boy to Be A Soldier

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f63bd650-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-6

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Lyrics
Composer
  • Knowles, Clarence  
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
Lyricist
  • Knowles, Clarence  
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
Publisher
Whitmore Pub. Co. (Scranton, PA)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Lyrics
I Want My Boy to be a Soldier Verse: In a country far away They are fighting with a fury in a senseless fray, And every nation claiming they are in the right And pray for victory to win the fight, But in our dear United States We have no king or queen Who can call us to arms just to help out selfish schemes. We don’t enfold our banners only to protect our rights. For our battle cry is Freedom for the stars and stripes Refrain: I want my boy to be a soldier Who will stand by his country good and true. When the land that we love in in danger, He will fight for the red, white and blue. It’s a man that will not shirk a danger Tho’ he perish in the fray. I want my boy to be a soldier And stand by the U. S. A. Verse: Let those people stand aside Who are selfish and indifferent to their countries pride, Who didn’t raise their son to be a soldier boy. He’d stay at home to be societies joy, All patriotic parents in All countries far and near Send their sons to the war to protect a country dear.
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 15, Folder 10
Local Identifier
2014_12996_256
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
I Want My Boy to Be A Soldier
Composer
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
  • Knowles, Clarence  
Lyricist
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
  • Knowles, Clarence  
Publisher
Whitmore Pub. Co. (Scranton, PA)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1916-03-15
Lyrics
I Want My Boy to be a Soldier Verse: In a country far away They are fighting with a fury in a senseless fray, And every nation claiming they are in the right And pray for victory to win the fight, But in our dear United States We have no king or queen Who can call us to arms just to help out selfish schemes. We don’t enfold our banners only to protect our rights. For our battle cry is Freedom for the stars and stripes Refrain: I want my boy to be a soldier Who will stand by his country good and true. When the land that we love in in danger, He will fight for the red, white and blue. It’s a man that will not shirk a danger Tho’ he perish in the fray. I want my boy to be a soldier And stand by the U. S. A. Verse: Let those people stand aside Who are selfish and indifferent to their countries pride, Who didn’t raise their son to be a soldier boy. He’d stay at home to be societies joy, All patriotic parents in All countries far and near Send their sons to the war to protect a country dear.
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_256
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleI Want My Boy to Be A Soldier
Composer
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
  • Knowles, Clarence  
Lyricist
  • Whitmore, Floyd E.  
  • Knowles, Clarence  
PublisherWhitmore Pub. Co. (Scranton, PA)  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1916-03-15
LyricsI Want My Boy to be a Soldier Verse: In a country far away They are fighting with a fury in a senseless fray, And every nation claiming they are in the right And pray for victory to win the fight, But in our dear United States We have no king or queen Who can call us to arms just to help out selfish schemes. We don’t enfold our banners only to protect our rights. For our battle cry is Freedom for the stars and stripes Refrain: I want my boy to be a soldier Who will stand by his country good and true. When the land that we love in in danger, He will fight for the red, white and blue. It’s a man that will not shirk a danger Tho’ he perish in the fray. I want my boy to be a soldier And stand by the U. S. A. Verse: Let those people stand aside Who are selfish and indifferent to their countries pride, Who didn’t raise their son to be a soldier boy. He’d stay at home to be societies joy, All patriotic parents in All countries far and near Send their sons to the war to protect a country dear.
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_256
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
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I Want My Boy To Be A Soldier And Stand By The U.S.A. - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.