University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

After the boys return

Title
After the boys return - Lyrics
Composer
Dorsey, Andrew A.  
Lyricist
Dorsey, Andrew A.  
Publisher
The Crescent Music Co. (Providence, RI)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
  • sweethearts are divided some to meet no more, but they’re giving gladly just to win the war.
  • ruins will be restored again and we’ll live just as before, after the boys return again from a foreign shore. Mother’s sons are landing on a foreign shore, children’s fathers fighting in this wretched war
  • heroes brave are fighting in united bands, to preserve the freedom of their native land. After the boys return again and the strife and fighting cease, we will all be happy with a world-wide peace
  • Ships are sailing daily to a foreign land, soldiers now are leaving, shaking farewell hands
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_008
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/f7dd6060-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-8

Descriptive Information

Title
After the boys return
Composer
Dorsey, Andrew A. [Aloysius]  
Lyricist
Dorsey, Andrew A. [Aloysius]  
Publisher
Providence : The Crescent Music Co.  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-07-13
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Comment
All indications are that this is essentially a self-publication: no other publications by The Crescent Music Co., Providence, have been identified, nor any other music by Andrew A. Dorsey.
Historical Note
  • The manuscript was copyrighted on May 20, 1918, with Harold Freeman credited as “arranger.” Freeman, an established Providence composer, was probably responsible for much of the music of this song, probably working from a melody suggested by Dorsey. The music strongly resembles Freeman’s known compositions: Freeman had a penchant for waltz ballads; his compositions often derived from or quoted earlier models; and he was associated with Charles K. Harris early in his career. A second copyright was issued on July 13, registered to the Crescent Music Co., with two printed copies deposited the previous day.
  • There appears to have been only one printing, and there are no known recordings, piano rolls, performances, or promotional activities.
  • The slogan “Food Will Win the War—Don’t Waste It” was officially launched by the Food Adminstration in mid-September, 1917.
Musical Note
A waltz ballad marked “not too fast,” the title and style are strongly suggestive of Charles K. Harris’s 1891 hit, “After the Ball.” The unusual extended range of the refrain, occasional melodic awkwardness, and straightforward harmonies all suggest the work of a musical amateur, adapted for publication by more experienced hands.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Homecoming -- Songs and music.  
  • Peace -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Ships are sailing daily to a foreign land / Soldiers now are leaving shaking farewell hands / Heroes brave are fighting in united bands / To preserve the freedom of their native land
  • [refrain 1] After the boys return again and the strife and fighting cease / We will all be happy with a world wide peace / Ruins will be restored again and we’ll live just as before / After the boys return again from a foreign shore.
  • [verse 2] Mother’s sons are landing on a foreign shore / Children’s fathers fighting in this wretched war / Sweethearts are divided some to meet no more / But they’re giving gladly just to win the war
  • [refrain 2]
Musical Genre
Waltz ballad
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover Description
Column of troops marching forward and to right, American flag in their midst, in a circle formed by two laurel branches, the whole on a US shield. Red and blue on white; unsigned.
Back Cover Description
Blank.
Interior Description
  • p. 2, BL: Food will win the war. Do not waste it
  • Plate number: p. 3, BL: After the Boys Return 2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
Local Identifier
2014_12996_008
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAfter the boys return
ComposerDorsey, Andrew A. [Aloysius]  
LyricistDorsey, Andrew A. [Aloysius]  
PublisherProvidence : The Crescent Music Co.  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-07-13
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
CommentAll indications are that this is essentially a self-publication: no other publications by The Crescent Music Co., Providence, have been identified, nor any other music by Andrew A. Dorsey.
Historical Note
  • The manuscript was copyrighted on May 20, 1918, with Harold Freeman credited as “arranger.” Freeman, an established Providence composer, was probably responsible for much of the music of this song, probably working from a melody suggested by Dorsey. The music strongly resembles Freeman’s known compositions: Freeman had a penchant for waltz ballads; his compositions often derived from or quoted earlier models; and he was associated with Charles K. Harris early in his career. A second copyright was issued on July 13, registered to the Crescent Music Co., with two printed copies deposited the previous day.
  • There appears to have been only one printing, and there are no known recordings, piano rolls, performances, or promotional activities.
  • The slogan “Food Will Win the War—Don’t Waste It” was officially launched by the Food Adminstration in mid-September, 1917.
Musical NoteA waltz ballad marked “not too fast,” the title and style are strongly suggestive of Charles K. Harris’s 1891 hit, “After the Ball.” The unusual extended range of the refrain, occasional melodic awkwardness, and straightforward harmonies all suggest the work of a musical amateur, adapted for publication by more experienced hands.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Homecoming -- Songs and music.  
  • Peace -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Ships are sailing daily to a foreign land / Soldiers now are leaving shaking farewell hands / Heroes brave are fighting in united bands / To preserve the freedom of their native land
  • [refrain 1] After the boys return again and the strife and fighting cease / We will all be happy with a world wide peace / Ruins will be restored again and we’ll live just as before / After the boys return again from a foreign shore.
  • [verse 2] Mother’s sons are landing on a foreign shore / Children’s fathers fighting in this wretched war / Sweethearts are divided some to meet no more / But they’re giving gladly just to win the war
  • [refrain 2]
Musical GenreWaltz ballad
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover DescriptionColumn of troops marching forward and to right, American flag in their midst, in a circle formed by two laurel branches, the whole on a US shield. Red and blue on white; unsigned.
Back Cover DescriptionBlank.
Interior Description
  • p. 2, BL: Food will win the war. Do not waste it
  • Plate number: p. 3, BL: After the Boys Return 2
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
Local Identifier2014_12996_008
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
After the boys return - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
After the boys return - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
After the boys return - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
After the boys return - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
After the boys return - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item