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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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

It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f8eab210-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-6

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Lyrics
Composer
Flatow, Leon  
Lyricist
Fields, Arthur  
Publisher
Leo Feist Inc.  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Lyrics
It’s a long way to Berlin, but we’ll get there! Verse: Rueben Plank a husky Yank, Came into town one day, And said “I can’t resist, I really must enlist by heck, I’ll help to get that Kaiser Bill I hear so much about,” He passed the test, threw out his chest, And started into shout. Refrain: “It’s a long way to Berlin, but we’ll get there Uncle Sam will show the way, Over the line, then across the Rhine, Shouting Hip! Hip! Hooray! We’ll sing Yankee Doodle “Under the Linden,” With some real live Yankee Pep! Hep! It’s a long way to Berlin but we’ll get there, And I’m on my way by heck by heck.” Verse: Rueben Plank was in the ranks For just a little while, Then he soon went ahead, He’s Corp’ral Plank instead, by heck, He gets his squad together And at night when all is still, They sing the chorus Reuben wrote, To Mister Kaiser Bill. Refrain
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_278
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There
Alternative Title
p. 2, top: It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There!
Composer
Flatow, Leon  
Lyricist
Fields, Arthur  
Publisher
Leo Feist Inc.  
Place of Publication
New York  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-09-07
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Historical Note
  • This is the fourth variant of the third printing. Feist’s usual practice was to deposit a first printing, for copyright only, that had identical music but with a front cover containing only text and a back cover that was blank. The printings are distinguished by their front covers; the variants are distinguished and ordered by their back covers. This variant postdates June 23, 1918, based on the back cover. The Saturday Evening Post advertisement cited on the back cover appeared on June 22, 1918.
  • The Passing Show of 1917 opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, on April 26, 1917, closing on October 13.
Dedication
p. 2, top: Dedicated to Lieut. Joseph E. Barrell and Lieut. Eugene J. Orsenigo, 71st N. Y. Infantry
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Recruiting and enlistment -- Songs and music.  
  • William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941 -- Songs and music.  
  • Marches (Voice with piano)  
Subject - Geographic
Berlin (Germany)  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Rueben Plank a husky Yank, / Came into town one day, / And said "I can't resist, / I really must enlist – by heck, / I'll help to get that Kaiser Bill / I hear so much about," / He passed the test, threw out his chest, / And started into shout.
  • [refrain 1] "It's a long way to Berlin, but we'll get there / Uncle Sam will show the way, / Over the line, then across the Rhine, / Shouting Hip! Hip! Hooray! / We'll sing Yankee Doodle 'Under the Linden,"' / With some real live Yankee Pep! Hep! / It's a long way to Berlin but we'll get there, / And I'm on my way by heck – by heck."
  • [verse 2]: Rueben Plank was in the ranks / For just a little while, / Then he soon went ahead, / He's Corp'ral Plank instead, by heck, / He gets his squad together / And at night when all is still, / They sing the chorus Reuben wrote, / To Mister Kaiser Bill.
  • [refrain 2]
Musical Genre
March song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Illustrator
Strauss-Peyton  
Cover Description
  • Photograph of Henry Bergman. Brown on white; photograph signed BL.
  • Left: The Big Song Hit / Featured by / Henry Bergman / Passing Show of 1917
  • BL, on photograph: Strauss-Peyton K.C. 19©16
Back Cover Description
bc: Music Will Help Win the War. Promotional text and Saturday Evening Post advertisement 1918 06 22.
Interior Description
  • p. 2, BL, in box: Also published for / Band 25¢ / Orchestra 25¢ / Male Quartette 10¢
  • p. 2, BR, in box: This composition may also be had for your Talking Machine or Player Piano
  • Gutter, pp. 2-3, bottom: Feist logo
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2-3, BL: 3692-2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
Local Identifier
2014_12996_278
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleIt's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There
Alternative Titlep. 2, top: It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There!
ComposerFlatow, Leon  
LyricistFields, Arthur  
PublisherLeo Feist Inc.  
Place of PublicationNew York  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-09-07
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2-3, [1] p.)
Historical Note
  • This is the fourth variant of the third printing. Feist’s usual practice was to deposit a first printing, for copyright only, that had identical music but with a front cover containing only text and a back cover that was blank. The printings are distinguished by their front covers; the variants are distinguished and ordered by their back covers. This variant postdates June 23, 1918, based on the back cover. The Saturday Evening Post advertisement cited on the back cover appeared on June 22, 1918.
  • The Passing Show of 1917 opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, on April 26, 1917, closing on October 13.
Dedicationp. 2, top: Dedicated to Lieut. Joseph E. Barrell and Lieut. Eugene J. Orsenigo, 71st N. Y. Infantry
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Soldiers -- United States -- Songs and music.  
  • Recruiting and enlistment -- Songs and music.  
  • William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941 -- Songs and music.  
  • Marches (Voice with piano)  
Subject - GeographicBerlin (Germany)  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] Rueben Plank a husky Yank, / Came into town one day, / And said "I can't resist, / I really must enlist – by heck, / I'll help to get that Kaiser Bill / I hear so much about," / He passed the test, threw out his chest, / And started into shout.
  • [refrain 1] "It's a long way to Berlin, but we'll get there / Uncle Sam will show the way, / Over the line, then across the Rhine, / Shouting Hip! Hip! Hooray! / We'll sing Yankee Doodle 'Under the Linden,"' / With some real live Yankee Pep! Hep! / It's a long way to Berlin but we'll get there, / And I'm on my way by heck – by heck."
  • [verse 2]: Rueben Plank was in the ranks / For just a little while, / Then he soon went ahead, / He's Corp'ral Plank instead, by heck, / He gets his squad together / And at night when all is still, / They sing the chorus Reuben wrote, / To Mister Kaiser Bill.
  • [refrain 2]
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
IllustratorStrauss-Peyton  
Cover Description
  • Photograph of Henry Bergman. Brown on white; photograph signed BL.
  • Left: The Big Song Hit / Featured by / Henry Bergman / Passing Show of 1917
  • BL, on photograph: Strauss-Peyton K.C. 19©16
Back Cover Descriptionbc: Music Will Help Win the War. Promotional text and Saturday Evening Post advertisement 1918 06 22.
Interior Description
  • p. 2, BL, in box: Also published for / Band 25¢ / Orchestra 25¢ / Male Quartette 10¢
  • p. 2, BR, in box: This composition may also be had for your Talking Machine or Player Piano
  • Gutter, pp. 2-3, bottom: Feist logo
  • Plate numbers: pp. 2-3, BL: 3692-2
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 15, Folder 10
Local Identifier2014_12996_278
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
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
It's A Long Way To Berlin, But We'll Get There - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.