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Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language.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'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f9289cc0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-6

Rights Information

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Lyrics
Composer
Keithley, E. Clinton  
Lyricist
Frost, Jack  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Lyrics
  • I’ll be there thro’ the long night watches, Tho’ you think I am far away.
  • And if fighting you fall, and the Master should call, I’ll be there, laddie boy, I’ll be there. Verse: Over the sea and back to me, In dreams you’re returning home, And still I am near to calm each fear, No matter where you roam. It’s only a dream, dear, but still it would seem, dear, I’m near you by night and by day
  • I’ll be there with a smile just to cheer you, Ev’ry day thro’ the fray I’ll be near you. When your comrades around are falling, Then your mother will answer your pray’r
  • But someone will yearn for your return, One who gave all she had. And while you are fighting, The world’s wrongs you’re righting, Remember, while over the foam, In your dreams I’ll be always near you, When you dream of the one back home. Refrain: I’ll be there when the bugle’s calling, I’ll be there in the camp fire’s gleam
  • I’ll be There, Laddie Boy, I’ll be There Verse: Over the sea and far from me, You’re sailing, my soldier lad
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_336
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Descriptive Information

Title
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There
Composer
Keithley, E. Clinton  
Lyricist
Frost, Jack  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-04-10
Physical Description
1 score ([1], 2-3, [1] p.). Folio.
Comment
Despite a favorable review in The Billboard, this title appears to have been wholly eclipsed by Gus Edwards’ popular “Laddie Boy”, which appeared six months earlier.
Historical Note
Reviewed in The Billboard on May 11, 1918, but little noted thereafter, with only one printing and no recordings.
Musical Note
  • Termed a “sympathetic march” in The Billboard review, and marked “marcia”, this march ballad is also a typical mother song
  • the square rhythms, occasional rat-a-tat-tat figures, and secondary dominants are march-like, and the arching melody and rubato in the refrain suggest a ballad.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Mothers of soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • I’ll be There, Laddie Boy, I’ll be There [Verse] Over the sea and far from me, You’re sailing, my soldier lad
  • But someone will yearn for your return, One who gave all she had. And while you are fighting, The world’s wrongs you’re righting, Remember, while over the foam, In your dreams I’ll be always near you, When you dream of the one back home. [Refrain] I’ll be there when the bugle’s calling, I’ll be there in the camp fire’s gleam
  • I’ll be there thro’ the long night watches, Tho’ you think I am far away. [Refrain]
  • I’ll be there with a smile just to cheer you, Ev’ry day thro’ the fray I’ll be near you. When your comrades around are falling, Then your mother will answer your pray’r
  • And if fighting you fall, and the Master should call, I’ll be there, laddie boy, I’ll be there. [Verse] Over the sea and back to me, In dreams you’re returning home, And still I am near to calm each fear, No matter where you roam. It’s only a dream, dear, but still it would seem, dear, I’m near you by night and by day
Musical Genre
  • March song
  • Sympathetic march
  • Mother song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Cover Description
  • Soldier lying on battlefield, looking up to an imagined image of mother. Black and green on white, appearing as a monochrome
  • unsigned.
Back Cover Description
Advertisement for “Late Patriotic Successes”. Four rows of samples: Top row: samples and covers for There’s a Little Blue Star in the Window (© 1918, advertised 1918 01 16) I’m Hitting the Trail to Normandy (© 1917 09 15) Second row: samples for Old Glory Goes Marching On (© 1918 04 10) Will the Angels Guard My Daddy Over There? (© 1918 04 10) When a Boy Says Good Bye to His Mother and She Gives Him To Uncle Sam (© 1917 09 04) Third row: samples for When It Comes to a Lovingless Day (© 1918 01 23) Let the Chimes of Normandy Be Our Wedding Bells (© 1918, advertised 1918 05 15) When the Kaiser Does the Goose-step to a Good Old American Rag (© 1917 10 22) Fourth row: samples and covers for A-M-E-R-I-C-A (© 1917 06 22) Giddy Giddap! Go on, Go on (© 1917 09 04)
Performance Medium
voice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
Local Identifier
2014_12996_336
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleI'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There
ComposerKeithley, E. Clinton  
LyricistFrost, Jack  
PublisherFrank K. Root & Co.  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-04-10
Physical Description1 score ([1], 2-3, [1] p.). Folio.
CommentDespite a favorable review in The Billboard, this title appears to have been wholly eclipsed by Gus Edwards’ popular “Laddie Boy”, which appeared six months earlier.
Historical NoteReviewed in The Billboard on May 11, 1918, but little noted thereafter, with only one printing and no recordings.
Musical Note
  • Termed a “sympathetic march” in The Billboard review, and marked “marcia”, this march ballad is also a typical mother song
  • the square rhythms, occasional rat-a-tat-tat figures, and secondary dominants are march-like, and the arching melody and rubato in the refrain suggest a ballad.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.  
  • Mothers of soldiers -- Songs and music.  
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music  
  • Soldiers -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • I’ll be There, Laddie Boy, I’ll be There [Verse] Over the sea and far from me, You’re sailing, my soldier lad
  • But someone will yearn for your return, One who gave all she had. And while you are fighting, The world’s wrongs you’re righting, Remember, while over the foam, In your dreams I’ll be always near you, When you dream of the one back home. [Refrain] I’ll be there when the bugle’s calling, I’ll be there in the camp fire’s gleam
  • I’ll be there thro’ the long night watches, Tho’ you think I am far away. [Refrain]
  • I’ll be there with a smile just to cheer you, Ev’ry day thro’ the fray I’ll be near you. When your comrades around are falling, Then your mother will answer your pray’r
  • And if fighting you fall, and the Master should call, I’ll be there, laddie boy, I’ll be there. [Verse] Over the sea and back to me, In dreams you’re returning home, And still I am near to calm each fear, No matter where you roam. It’s only a dream, dear, but still it would seem, dear, I’m near you by night and by day
Musical Genre
  • March song
  • Sympathetic march
  • Mother song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Cover Description
  • Soldier lying on battlefield, looking up to an imagined image of mother. Black and green on white, appearing as a monochrome
  • unsigned.
Back Cover DescriptionAdvertisement for “Late Patriotic Successes”. Four rows of samples: Top row: samples and covers for There’s a Little Blue Star in the Window (© 1918, advertised 1918 01 16) I’m Hitting the Trail to Normandy (© 1917 09 15) Second row: samples for Old Glory Goes Marching On (© 1918 04 10) Will the Angels Guard My Daddy Over There? (© 1918 04 10) When a Boy Says Good Bye to His Mother and She Gives Him To Uncle Sam (© 1917 09 04) Third row: samples for When It Comes to a Lovingless Day (© 1918 01 23) Let the Chimes of Normandy Be Our Wedding Bells (© 1918, advertised 1918 05 15) When the Kaiser Does the Goose-step to a Good Old American Rag (© 1917 10 22) Fourth row: samples and covers for A-M-E-R-I-C-A (© 1917 06 22) Giddy Giddap! Go on, Go on (© 1917 09 04)
Performance Mediumvoice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 16, Folder 1
Local Identifier2014_12996_336
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'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
I'll Be There, Laddie Boy, I'll Be There - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item
for questions and to provide feedback.