Over There: WWI Sheet Music

WWI songs reflect a spectrum of reaction to the Great War, from patriotism and support to homesickness,  mothers and children worried for their menfolk, and even pacifist songs.

One of the most well known WWI songs is Over There by George M. Cohen. An article from the Library of Congress gives the song's history:

George M. Cohan, a successful Broadway producer, playwright, performer, lyricist and composer, wrote "Over There" on his way into work. The headlines that inspired him the morning of April 6, 1917, were not ordinary. They announced that the U.S. had abandoned its isolationist policy and entered World War I on the side of the Allied Powers against the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire).

Cohan’s gingery song took its opening verse "Johnny, get your gun" from a popular American song published in 1886. He based his music on a three note bugle call. Although Cohan tested the song on a group of military men at Fort Meyers, Florida, without much success, the general public loved it.

"Over There" was first performed publicly in the fall of 1917 by Charles King at a Red Cross benefit in New York. But it was the popular singer and comedienne Nora Bayes who made the song famous. Cohan, it is said, personally chose her to premiere his song on stage. Bayes also recorded "Over There" for the Victor Talking Machine Company on July 13, 1917 (in a 78 rpm format).

On June 29, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded Cohan the Congressional Gold Medal for this and other songs.

Listen to George M. Cohen sing Over There here.

The cover illustration is by Barbelle. See other covers by Barbelle here.

Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run
Hear them calling you and me
Every son of liberty

Hurry right away, no delay, go today
Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
Over there.

Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun you're a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die

Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit
Yankees to the ranks from the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old Red White and Blue.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.

Over there.

***

Hooray for Uncle Sam, 1917, words and music by Della Williams Paine, is another patriotic rabble-rouser with a march tempo. Uncle Sam is featured in many songs. This one is particularly interesting for its invocation of God and how it imagines the whole world singing Uncle Sam's praises.

We are the boys of the USA,

We stand for unity always,

We pledge ourselves to you,

the Red White and Blue

and to you we'll be true.

We love each star and stripe to day

As o'er our heads you proudly wave,

We are your sons so staunch and true

And we are proud to fight for you.

Chorus:

Then Hooray for Uncle Sam

The bravest in the land,

We all salute you ev'ry day

The glorious flag of USA,

And may you never cease to wave

O'er this land of the free and brave,

United all we stand or fall,

We will be ready when you call,

For we are loyal o'er this land

Then Hooray for our dear Uncle Sam.

We give our all to you to day

As soldiers of the USA

And we will loyal be

on land and on sea,

Sweet land of liberty

To thee we sing our songs of praise

And to thy God our voices raise,

We ask thy help and aid today

To save our brothers o'er the way .(chorus)

When we from war come marching home

And lay our victories at your throne

You will be proud to see

the flag of the free

Still floating on the breeze,

So glor'ous will it wave that day

That other nations all will say,

Three cheers for you, the USA

May God your noble work repay (chorus)

***

America Here's My Boy was introduced in 1917 as reflecting "the sentiment of every American Mother." The prolific Andrew B. Sterling had a song for every new development from Ragtime to wartime. The music was by Arthur Lange. Here the recording here, complete with a bugle introduction and martial music. The cover illustration is by Andre' De Takacs. See his wonderful covers here.

There's a million mothers knocking at the nation's door
A million mothers, yes and there'll be millions more
And while within each mother heart they pray
Just hark what one brave mother has to say

America, I raised a boy for you
America, you'll find him staunch and true
Place a gun upon his shoulder, he is ready to die or do
America, he is my only one, my hope, my pride and joy
But if I had another, he would march beside his brother
America, here's my boy!

There's a million mothers waiting by the fireside bright
A million mothers, waiting for the call tonight
And while within each heart there'll be a tear
She'll watch her boy go marching with a cheer

America, I raised a boy for you
America, you'll find him staunch and true
Place a gun upon his shoulder, he is ready to die or do
America, he is my only one, my hope, my pride and joy
But if I had another, he would march beside his brother
America, here's my boy!

***

Just a few years earlier in 1915 the song I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier came out, with lyrics by Alfred Bryan and music by Al Piantadosi. It was the first pacifist anti-war songs plus it had a feminist bent. Teddy Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman hated the song and many parodied it. Listen to an Edison cylinder recording here. The subtitle is "A Mother's Plea for Peace." Read more about the music here.

My copy has a photo of Chel 'Toy of the Ching Ling Foo Co. What is a Chinese lady doing on this sheet music? The Ching Ling Foo Company was a traveling vaudeville magic act troop out of China in the last years of the 19th c and into the early 20th c. Read more here and here. Although Chinese were prohibited from immigrating to the United States Ching Ling Foo was considered an artist and allowed into the country. He started a craze for Chinese magic acts. 

The various issues of the song featured minorities on the cover: Chinese, Native American, and African America.

Ten million soldiers to the war have gone,

Who may never return again.

Ten million mothers' hearts must break

For the ones who died in vain.

Head bowed down in sorrow

In her lonely years,

I heard a mother murmur thru' her tears:

Chorus:

I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier,

I brought him up to be my pride and joy.

Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder,

To shoot some other mother's darling boy?

Let nations arbitrate their future troubles,

It's time to lay the sword and gun away.

There'd be no war today,

If mothers all would say,

"I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier."

What victory can cheer a mother's heart,

When she looks at her blighted home?

What victory can bring her back

All she cared to call her own?

Let each mother answer

In the years to be,

Remember that my boy belongs to me!

Repeat Chorus 2x

***

The boys were sent off to war 

So Long, Mother, 1917, lyrics by Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn with music by Egbert Van Alstyne, was made famous by Al. Jolson and it was advertised as "Al Jolson's Mother Song". I can't find a vintage recording but hear it here. Read about the music here.

Oh mother dear a little tear is gleaming in your eye
Your lips are all a tremble as you hear me say "goodbye"
The Stars and Stripes are calling now
On every mother's boy
From Maine to dear old Dixie
They shoulder arms with joy.

Chorus:
So long my dear old lady
Don't you cry
Just kiss your grown-up baby goodbye
Somewhere in France I'll be dreaming of you
You and your dear eyes of blue
Come let me see you smile before we part
I'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart
Dry the tear in your eye
Don't you sigh
Don't you cry
So long, mother
Kiss your boy good-bye.

Oh mother dear each volunteer must say good-bye today
Some leave a love who may forget
When he has march'd away
But I leave one who'll not forget
That's why I'm mighty glad
For you're the only sweet-heart 
That I have ever had. (Chorus)

***

Once the boys were overseas their thoughts returned to dear old Mother. There's a Picture in My Old Kit Bag by Al Sweet .

A soldier boy was writing home to his Mother o'er the sea
Telling of the strange and awful sights in this war for humanity
He told his love for loved ones so dear
As he brushed a tear away
And through her tears a Mother read
these words for her alone.

There's a picture in my old kit bag, in a worn old leather frame
It's a dear to me as our grand old flag and I'll cherish just the same'
On the long, long trail to No Man's Land,
When my weary footsteps lag,
There's a cheer all the while in my Mother's smile
In that picture in my old kit bag.

***

For Your Boy and My Boy Buy Bonds! Buy Bonds! "Hear the Bugle Call!" was another WWI song written by Gus Kahn and Egbert Van Alstyne. Listen to a recording here.  War bonds allowed the government to borrow funds for the war effort.

Hear the bugle call
The call to arms for Liberty
See them one and all
They go to fight for you and me
Heroes we will find them
Ev'ry mother's son
We must get behind them
'Till their work is done

Chorus:
For your boy and my boy and all the boys out there
Let's lend our money to the U.S.A. 
And do our share
Ev'ry bond that we are buying
Will help to hold the fighting line
Buy Bonds
Buy Bonds
For Your Boy and Mine

Hear the bugle call
The call to those who stay at home
You are soldiers all
Tho'  you may never cross the foam
Keep Old Glory waving
Proudly up above
Praying working saving
For the ones you love
(chorus)

***

What Are You Going To Do To Help the Boys? Buy a Liberty Bond!, 1918, is another Gus Kahn and Egbert Van Alstyne song for war bonds. Hear a recording here. The lyrics

Your Uncle Sam is calling now on ev'ry one of you

If you're too old or young to fight there's something else to do

If you have done a but before don't let the matter rest

For Uncle Sam expects that ev'ry man will do his best

Chorus:

What are you going to do for Uncle Sammy?

What are you going to do to help the boys?

If you mean to stay at home

While they're fighting o'er the foam

The least you can do is buy a Liberty bond or two

If you're going to be a sympathetic miser

The kind that only lends noise

You're no better than the one who loves the Kaiser

So what are you going to do to help the boys?

It makes no difference who you are or whence you came or how

Your Uncle Sammy help'd you then and you must help him now

Your brothers will be fighting for your freedom over there

And if you love the Stars and Stripes then you must do your share.

(Chorus)

 ***

The super-patriotism of these last songs were not the only kind popular during the way. Some songs did reflect the pathos suffered by families whose menfolk were in harm's way. 

Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight for her Daddy Over There, words by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, and music by M. K. Jerome, 1918, has a Barbelle illustrated cover of a girl praying for her daddy. Hear Henry Burr sing it here. It is a sentimental and sweet song.

I've heard the prayers of mothers,
Some of them old and gray
I've heard the prayers of others
For those who went away

Oft times a prayer will teach one
The meaning of good bye
I felt the pain of each one,
But this one made me cry

Just a baby's prayer at twilight
When lights are low
Poor baby's years
are filled with tears

There's a mother there at twilight
Who's proud to know
Her precious little tot
Is Dad's forget-me-not

After saying "Goodnight, Mama"
She climbs up stairs
Quite unawares
And says her prayers

"Oh! kindly tell my daddy
That he must take care"
That's a baby's prayer at twilight
For her daddy, "over there"

The gold that some folks pray for,
Brings nothing but regrets
Some day this gold won't pay for
Their many lifelong debts.

Some prayers may be neglected
Beyond the Gold Gates.
But when they're all collected,
Here's one that never waits;

Just a baby's prayer at twilight
When lights are low
Poor baby's years
are filled with
There's a mother there at twilight
Who's proud to know
Her precious little tot
Is Dad's forget-me-not

After saying, "Goodnight, Mama"
She climbs up stairs
Quite unawares
And says her prayers

"Oh! kindly tell my daddy
That he must take care"
That's a baby's prayer at twilight
For her daddy, "over there."

***

After the War is Over Will there Be Any "Home Sweet Home" by E. J. Pourmon and Joseph Woodruff, 1917, has none of the bravado of the patriotic songs. THe lyricist instead writes about the somber realities of war. The composer's photo is featured on the cover.

Listen to a piano version here. 

Angels they are weeping o'er the foreign war,
Transports are sailing from shore to shore.
Brace heroes are falling to arise no more,
But will the bugle's calling every man to war.

After the war is over and the world's at peace
Many a heart will be aching after the war has ceased
Many a home will be vacant,
Many a child alone,
But I hope they'll all be happy 
In a place called "Home sweet Home."

Changed will be the picture of the foreign lands,
Maps will change entirely to diff'rent hands.
Kings and Queens may ever rule their fellow man,
But pray they'll be united like our own free land.
(Chorus)

WWI Sheet Music: Memories of France

My collection of vintage sheet music from a hundred years ago includes many songs written about WWI. Today I am sharing songs set in France--in particular songs about women. It is hard to consider the horrors of war that lurks behind these sentimental songs.

Memories of France by Al Dubin and J. Russet Robinson, 1928 has this dedication: 

"To our pals in the American Legion 

We dedicate this refrain

If it makes but one of you  happy

It was not written in vain."

Listen to it here.

Like a lot of little bubbles
I can blow away my troubles
Dreaming of my romance

With a pretty little daughter
Of a land across the water
I dream that I'm back in France

Someone whispers to me
"I love you, my cherie"
In my memories of France

And we stroll once again
By the old River Seine
In my memories of France

And I see her still placing roses
Where many an old pal reposes
And we laugh and we cry
Then a kiss, then goodbye
In my memories of France

And I see her still placing roses
Where many an old pal reposes
And we laugh and we cry
Then a kiss, then goodbye
In my memories of France

The back cover of the sheet music features this Recitation:

The war has long been forgotten,

And it's best that we should forget,--

It's an old story now, but still, somehow,

There are dreams that linger yet.

It's not the dream of the battle

And it's not the shot and the shell,--

It's the mem'ry of a doughboy in love

And a sweet little Mademoiselle,

You can blot out the mem'ry of bullets

When the years roll by like this,

But you can't erase a beautiful face

And the mem'ry of a kiss.

You ca even forgive the enemy,--

Forgive them as time goes by,

But a long as you live you'll enver forgive

Yourself,--For saying goodboye.

Maybe she was'nt your sweetheart,--

You considered her only a toy,

But when God made her kind, He had in mind

A homesick soldier boy:

She would laugh, she would cry,

Then a kiss, then "goodbye,"

In my memories of France.

***

Somewhere in France is the Lily by Jos. E. Howard and Philander Johnson, 1917, sung by Howard, has a fantastic cover by Starmer. The image of the French 'lily' is central, but the bombs bursting in air and men in trenches remind this is a war song. Listen to Henry Burr sing it here. It has a definite martial sound.

One day as morning shed its glow 
Across the eastern sky 
A boy and girl in accents low in a garden said “Goodbye!” 
She said “Remember as you stray, 
When each must do his share,
The flowers blooming here today 
Are emblems over there!”

[Refrain] 
Somewhere in France is the Lily, 
Close by the English Rose; 
Somewhere in France is a sweetheart, 
Facing the battle’s chance, 
For the flow’r of our youth fights for freedom and truth
Somewhere in France

Each morning in that garden fair, 
Where sweetest perfumes dwell, 
The lassie whispers low a pray’r 
For the flowr’s she loves so well. 
And over there as night draws near,
Amid the shot and flame, 
Unto the flag he holds so dear,
A soldier breathes her name.
[Refrain]

***

Not all the women that soldiers met in France were love interests.

Written as a tribute to the Red Cross nurses, Rose of No Man's Land by Jack Caddigan and James A. Brennan, 1917, features an illustration is of a Red Cross nurse looking into a ray of light. This Patriotic War Edition that was printed on smaller paper to help the war effort. Hear it sung by Henty Burr here along with WWI photos.

I've seen some beautiful flowers
Grow in life's garden fair
I've spent some wonderful hours
Lost in their fragrance rare
But I have found another
Wondrous beyond compare....

There's a rose that grows in no-man's land
And it's wonderful to see
Though its sprayed with tears, it will live for years
In my garden of memory

It's the one red rose the soldier knows
It's the work of the Master's hand
'Neath the War's great curse stands a Red Cross nurse
She's the rose of no-man's land

Out in the heavenly splendor 
Down to the trail of woe
God in his mercy has sent her
Fearing the World below
We call her Rose of Heaven
We've longed to love her so....

There's a rose that grows in no-man's land
And it's wonderful to see
Though its sprayed with tears, it will live for years
In my garden of memory

It's the one red rose the soldier knows
It's the work of the Master's hand
'Neath the War's great curse stands a Red Cross nurse
She's the rose of no-man's land

***

And He'd Say "Oo-La-La Wee-Wee" by Harry Ruby and George Jessell, 1919, has a marvelous cover illustration by Barbelle. This is a comedy song.  Hear it sung by Billy Murray here.

Willie Earl met a sweet young girl one day in France,

Her naughty little glance, put Willie in a trance; 

Willie Earl couldn't understand her talk you see,

He only knew two words in French

That he learned in the trench,

They were "oo-la-la" and "wee-wee."

They would spoon beneath the moon above

It was fun to hear them making love.

Chorus

She'd say "compronay voo, papa?"

and he'd say "oo-la-la! wee-wee"

She'd smile and whisper "mercy bacoo"

He'd answer "I don't mind if I do"

She'd say if you be my papa" then I will be your macherie

She'd pinch his cheek and say "you keskasay:

He'd say "Not now, dear, but later I may;"

Then she'd say "compronay voo, papa?"

and he'd say "oo-la-la! wee-wee."

Willie Earl said, "this little girl is meant for me,

No more I'll cross to the sea,

I'll stay in Gay Paree.

Ev'ry day you would hear him say to his babee,

"Your talk I do not know, but I,

Will manage to get by, with my "oo-la-la" and "wee-wee"

Ev'ry ev'ning Willie would rehearse

Instead of getting better he got worse

She'd say "compronay voo, papa?" 

and he'd say "oo-la-la! wee-wee"

She'd say "come see" and then roll her eyes,

He'd answer, "baby you'd be surprised."

Each ev'ning they would promenade,

upon zeboulevarde you see;

One day at lunch she said "cafe voola" 

He said "my dear, don't forget where you are;" 

Then she'd say "compronay voo, papa?" 

and he'd say "oo-la-la! wee-wee."

***

Oh! Frenchy by Sam Ehrlich and Con Conrad, 1918, illustrated by EE Walton, switches the love story around. A nurse falls in love with a French soldier because of his accent.

Rosie Green was a village queen, 
Who enlisted as a nurse 
She waited for a chance 
And left for France with an Ambulance, 
Rosie Green met a chap named 
Jean, a soldier from Paree, 
When he said, “Parlevous my pet” 
She said, “I will but not just yet,” 
When he’d speak in French to her, 
She’d answer lovingly, “Oh!”

Chorus
Frenchy, Oh Frenchy, Frenchy, 
Although your language is so new to me, 
When you say, “Oui oiu, la la” 
“We” means you and me, la la- 
Oh! Frenchy, Oh Frenchy, Frenchy, 
You’ve won my love with your bravery, 
March on, March on, with any girl you see, 
But when you la la la la la, 
Oh, Frenchy save you la la la’s for me. 
Oh! me

Rosie Green married Soldier Jean when his furlough time arrived, 
She said, “Go pack your grip 
We’ll take a trip on a big steam ship,” 
Rosie Green took her soldier Jean down home somewhere in Maine, 
They say her rural Pa and Ma, 
Refused to do that oo la la, 
But when she’s alone with him you’ll hear the same refrain, 
Oh! (chorus)

 ***

Joan of Arc represented national pride to the French soldiers who carried her image into battle.

Joan of Arc They Are Calling You by Alfred Bryan, Willie Weston, and Jack Wells, illustrated by Barbelle, calls on the Maid of Orleans to harken to her country in her time of need. The lyrics are in English and French. Hear Henry Burr sing it here.

While you are sleeping, 
Your France is weeping,
Wake from your dreams, Maid of France.
Her heart is bleeding;
Are you unheeding?
Come with the flame in your glance;
Through the Gates of Heaven, with your sword in hand,
Come your legions to command.

CHORUS
Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,
Do your eyes, from the skies, see the foe?
Don't you see the drooping Fleurdelis?
Can't you hear the tears of Normandy?
Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,
Let your spirit guide us through;
Come lead your France to victory;
Joan of Arc, they are calling you. Joan of you.

Alsace is sighing,
Lorraine is crying,
Their mother, France, looks to you.
Her sons at Verdun;
Bearing the burden,
Pray for your coming anew;
At the Gates of Heaven, do they bar your way?
Souls that passed through yesterday.

Vintage Sheet Music: Romance Under the Trees

Decades before the WWII hit song Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me, trees figured in courtship songs. Gardens and orchards and the great outdoors were places where lovers could coo in sweet privacy. Love and Gardens have associated with love since Adam and Eve.

Is There Still Room For Me Neath the Old Apple Tree by Edgar Leslie, Lew Brown and Maurie Abrahams, 1915, has a man telephoning his sweetheart back home. The recording even includes a ringing phone! Hear a Victor recording performed by the Peerless Quartet here.

Hello there long distance, please don't make me wait in vain
I asked you to connect me with a homestead down in Maine
I hate to hold the wire, don't get mad if I complain
I long to hear my sweetheart's voice again
Oh, hello dear, yes, this is me, I'm many miles away
I'm lonesome and I just called up to say

Is there still room for me
'Neath the old apple tree
Where there once was a bench for two
Oh, that bench wasn't long
And you know it wasn't strong
When I sat there with you

I've got fare back to Maine
And I'll jump on a train
If your heart beats as fond and as true
Is there still room for me
'Neath the old apple tree
If there is I'll come back to you

Listen operator, what's the matter with this phone
It seems to me you never had a sweetheart of your own
You say there's wire trouble and you've got the numbers mixed
Well, hurry up and get the wires fixed
Is that you dear? Yes I can hear, they cut us off somehow
I'm waiting and I want your answer now

Is there still room for me
'Neath the old apple tree
Where there once was a bench for two
Oh, that bench wasn't long
And you know it wasn't strong
When I sat there with you

I've got fare back to Maine
And I'll jump on a train
If your heart beats as fond and as true
Is there still room for me
'Neath the old apple tree
If there is I'll come back to you

***

After their hit In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree, Williams & Van Alstyne gave us Neath the Old Cherry Tree Sweet Marie by Williams & Van Alstyne, 1907, performed by Josephine Gassman,  Hear it here.

Gassman (1882-1962) was a "coon shouter" who performed "coon songs" with African American children, the act known as Josephine Gassman and her Pickaninnies. They toured from 1898 to 1906 across America and the world, playing the Orpheum with Will Rogers. One notice mentioned the "pickanninies" antics and their cake walk as well received. Acts with female singers and African American children were popular and included Louise Dresser and her Picks.

The drowsy robin to his mate was calling,

The sun was slowly sinking in the West,

The creeping shadows to the East were falling,

'was then I felt a throb within my breast,

For it was with you I used to wander,

And court you in the good old fashioned way,

But now I sit alone at night and ponder,

And wonder if we'll meet another day.

'Neath the old cherry tree, sweet Marie,

Where you first gave your heart, love, to me,

Not a word did you say,

But as you turned away 

I could see, sweet Marie, I could see,

Though your lips were as still and as red

As the cherries that hung over head,

Both your eyes told me well,

What your lips dared not tell,

'Neath the old cherry tree, sweet Marie.

In loneliness I turn the picture over,

And in my mind I see you painted there,

As fresh tonight as were the stems of clover

I wove in to the tangle of your hair

Perhaps another sits beneath the tree, dear,

Perhaps you're telling him you love him too,

Or maybe you have saved a thought of me, dear,

And dreamed I might again be there with you. (chorus)

***

The hit song Take Me Back to the Garden of Love by E. Ray Goetz and Nat. Osborne, 1911, performed by Cario Portello, says his sweetheart's love is a garden in itself. Hear it sung by Walter Von Brunt here.

Sweet thoughts of first love are filling me,

With joy but once we feel;

While thoughts of fear are thrilling me,

Its joy may prove unreal.

Often ‘twould seem love is luring me,

To find that you’re untrue;

To have, you reassure me,

In hope I long for you.

[Chorus]

Take me back to your Garden of Love, dear,

Once again let me bloom in your heart,

Take me back to the beautiful spring time,

Where sunshine and love never part.

To the rose in my heart that is dying,

You are just like the dew from above,

I need you, I want you, I love you,

Take me back to your Garden of Love.

If in your heart you regret me not,

Renew each vow to me;

Just like a sweet forget-me-not,

Once more each word will be.

If in your dreams you could understand,

Your love’s a fragrant bow’r;

Your heart’s my key to wonderland,

Come claim this fading flow’r. (chorus)

***

Continuing the fruit tree theme, here is When It's Apple Blossom Time in Normandie by Mellor Gifford and Trevor, 1912, sung by Kathleen Clifford, Hear an instrumental recording here and a vocal recording here.

On a farm in Normandy,

There resided Rose Marie,

She was the pride of the country side,

Fair as a maid could be.

Came a lover bold one day,

When a most persuasive lay,

Tho’ she was grieving, when he was leaving,

He consol’d her in this way.

Chorus

When it’s apple blossom time in Normandy!

I want to be in Normandy,

By that dear old wishing well,

With you, Marie!

When it’s apple blossom time in Normandy,

I’m coming back to woo,

And the spring will bring a wedding ring,

Little sweetheart to you!

Said Marie “It’s clear to me,

Tho’ sincere you seem to be,

I am afraid of the promise made;

You may not come back to me.

By the wishing well today,

I shall wish that you will stay”

Said he despairing, “Love, I’m declaring,

I’m in earnest, when I say. (chorus)

Apple blossom time soon came,

Rose Marie then chang’d her name,

For with the spring he had brought the ring,

His loving bride to claim.

By the wishing well they stray,

Happiness is theirs today,

‘Mid blossoms falling, he is recalling,

What he fondly used to say. (chorus)

***

Another Andrew B. Stirling and Harry Von Tilzer hit was Under the Yum Yum Tree, 1910. Hear an Edison recording here by Collins & Harlan, complete with a spoken interlude of stereotyped African Americans. Even in these love songs, racism was a sad source of humor.

There's a place to go where the breezes blow
And the hum of the bumble bee
As he buzzes by 'Neath a tinted sky
Is a sweet honeyed melody
Take your sweet heart true to this place with you
There's a spot where no one can see,
You can lovey, lovey, love
With your dovey, dovey, dove
Under the Yum Yum tree.

Chorus
Under the Yum Yum tree
That's the Yummiest place to be
When you take your baby by the hand
There'll be something doing down in Yum Yum land;
That is the place to play,
With your honey, and kiss all day,
When you're all by your lonely,
You and your only Yum! Yum! 
Yummy Yummy Yum under the Yum Yum tree.

Yum Yum tree just grew, in the land of "Coo"
It was planted by old King "Spoon"
Even birds that fly, in it's branches high,
Sing a soft little loving tune,
Cupid and his band haunt that goo goo land
And a dart in your heart there'll be
If you spoony, spoony spoon
'Neath the moony, moony, moon,
Under the Yum Yum tree. (chorus)

***

There may not be a tree mentioned, but there is a garden in When it's Ringtime in Springtime Then I'll Bring a Ring to You by Wm. Tracey and Ernest Breuer, performed by Bonita of Bonita and Lew Hern, 1917. I can find nothing about this song. 

Pauline De Landes (b. 1886)  married Lew Hern (b. 1882 in Poland, d. 1965) and between 1904 and 1914 they performed together in vaudeville.

Dearie, Springtime is falling 
I hear you calling too,
Sunshine and flow'rs,
Brighten the hours,
I'll soon be spending with you.

Chorus
When its ringtime in Springtime,
And the birds in the trees hum sweet melodies of love,
To a lonesome heart I'll be returning,
If that little spark of love's still burning,
Yearning, in the gloaming,
oh, my darling Love Ties we'll renew,
When it's ringtime in Springtime
Then I'll bring a ring to you.

Dearie, I know you're lonesome
I'm getting lonesome too,
Don't worry dear 
Soon you will hear,
Wedding bells ringing for you. (chorus)

***

The Garden of Beauty Waltzes by Carl Loveland (the pseudonym of Harry L Lincoln) is a piano solo published in 1913. I liked the segue from trees to garden, and had to share this lovely cover. Not the man waiting on the other side of the pond.

Vintage Sheet Music: Nostalgia

Looking backward is part of the human condition, and we as we age we can feel that our best days are behind us. It is no wonder so many songs have been written about earlier times.

The Good Old Days usually referred to an idealized rural life.

On a Good Old Fashioned Straw Ride is a novelty song by Dave Reed and George Christie from 1912,  performed by the musical marriage team of Maud Lambert and Ernest R. Ball,  Apple jack and hugging and kissing seem to be the main attraction of the straw ride experience. Along with playing on folk's nostalgia, there is a hefty dose of stereotyping the lingo of rural folk and a surprising amount of gol'darn cuss words. 

Listen to it here.

Folks are congregatin' from a far and wide,
Everybod's waitin' for the old straw ride
Every one's excited, Every one's delighted,
Every fellow's got a lady by his side;
Look at all the farmers in their right red hose!
Gals a galivantin' in their Sunday clothes!
Beautiful night time, 
That is the right time,
Time to forget your woes;
We'll dance all night, till broad daylight,
And wake up the goldarn town:
I'll hop around the fiddle, like a chicken on a griddle,
Till they have to take a rope and tie me down!

Under the glimmer of a great big moonbeam rollin' a long,
While we're all sing' a song,
It's great to cuddle and kiss some fair little Miss;
Then back to the pumpkin and the squash, by gosh, we'll merrily glide,
If you ain't huggin' and kissin', there's somethin' you're missin',
on a good old time straw ride.

'Tildy, hurry up and don't you stop to fuss!
Howdy, Zaccaria! Is there room for us?
Who is that a crushin' What's the use of rushin'?
Hiram, quit your ticklin', yer a gosh darn cuss,
Pass around the apple jack agin', by heck!

Who is that a droppin' peanuts down my neck?
This is the game, boys, I'm glad I came boys,
Ain't gonter cost one speck;
Say look here, Zeke, why don't you speak?
And don't look so goldern black!
Well, I recon, Mister Smarty, I'm a bustin' up yer party,
But to tell the truth, I'm sittin' on a tack! (chorus)

***

1905 Beaux Arts Edition piano solo of Home Sweet Home

Many nostalgia songs are about missing home, the most famous of course being Home, Sweet Home. Songs were written about other 'homes' as well. Here is Susquehanna Home by Dave Ringle published in 1924. Listen to an instrumental Victor recording here. It is a surprisingly upbeat tune.

Why did I stray, wanter away

Fool I was to ever roam

Cows in the corn,mooin' at dawn,

call me back to my old home

Like all rollin' stones I'm blue my roamin' days are thru'

Susquehanna Home, Land of honeycomb,

Like the pine trees I am pinin'

Like an old stray dog I'm whinin'

Longing to sneak home under cover

To my gray haird pal I love her, 

Moon a shinin' high 

Can't you hear me cry,

Old shack layin' back on the hill

I'll be comin' back for a thrill

Susquehanna home.

Stars twinkle bright all thru' the night

O'er the fields of silv'ry dew

Clouds floatin' by sure make me sigh

soon I will be floatin' too

Back to those I long to see where my heart will always be. (chorus)

***

As the last song shows, nostalgia for home is basically missing Mom. There are numerous songs idealizing mothers. Here are a few.

Mother Dear by J. A. Pedersen and Ted. S. Barron, 1914, is one example.

The shadows are softly falling,
I sit and dream alone.
On fond mem'ry's ship I take a trip
ack to my dear old home.
Back to those happy childhood days,
The dearest days of all;
I long to be back there again
In those days beyond recall.

I long to nestle in your arms again, Mother dear,
For in my dream your sweet voice still I hear,
your face I seem to see,
I hear you calling me,
Back to dear old home sweet home and mother dear.

In memory I am longing 
To be a child once more, 
To roam once again 'mid scenes of youth,
With loved ones I adore.
My thoughts are all of mother dear,
Tho' I am far away,
My heart is filled with longing
Just to be back home some day. (chorus)

***

Another mother song, Mother of Mine, by George A. Little and J. D. Stanley, 1913, is one of many with the same title and the least well known. 

There is one that I'll love when the seas restless wave

Will not beat on the sandy shore,

There is one name I'll breath

When the Father who gave

Tells me that my life's work is o'er.

Mother of mine, mother of mine,

Seems that you're always beside me,

Your eyes divine ever will shine,

Through all my sorrow you guide me.

When on the day I pass away,

to that new land of sunshine,

Again on your breast I'll find sweet rest,

Mother, O, mother of mine!

When the light silver hair first grew into the gold,

And the smile sweet to see passed away,

When the light in her eyes

Father Time's story told

Then I knew all I lost that sad day. (chorus)

The lyrics recalling mother may seem saccharine to us today, and a stereotype of an idealized mother. Behind them lurks the sad reality of how short a woman's life was, how many lost their mothers early in life. Childbearing, disease, overwork taxed a woman's health. If one considers that the son's memories of his mother are from his childhood and that perhaps he lost her early in life, we see the song in a different light.

***

Mother was a standard by which all girls were measured. Men wanted to marry their mother. Or at least a gal who reminded him of dear old Mom.

Just As Your Mother Was by Andrew B. Sterling and by Harry Von Tilzer, 1917, is a good example of what men wanted in a wife...Well. Some men. Listen to it here.

Wedding bells are ringing,
Choir sweetly singing,
Soon the happy bride will ride away.
As she whispers “Good-bye, Daddy,”
To her father old and gray.
Tenderly he holds her;
Tears are in his eyes.
“Listen, child,” he whispers fond and low.
“Your mother was an angel,
and you’re an angel, too,
For you look just like your mother, long ago.

You’ve got the same eyes of blue,
You’ve got the same sweet smile, too,
And may the angels up above you
Watch and love you all life through.
You’ve got the same loving way,
And ev’ry night I’ll kneel and pray
That you’ll be through life,
a good true wife, dear,
Just as your mother was.”

“Just a simple story;
Love in all its glory—
Sun or storm your mother’s love was true.
But the angels came and took her
On the day they left me you.
Tenderly I watched you
Growing day by day;
Now the time to part is drawing near.
Remember that your mother
was steadfast, staunch, and true,
And I know you’ll always be like her, my dear.

***

The times were changing fast. But some were holding steadfastly to the old ways. 

I can't find anything on An Old Fashioned Girlie by James O'Dea and Sam S. Krams and Jack Von Tilzer from 1914! James O'Dea (1870-1914) married Lyricist and Songwriter Hall of Fame star Anne Caldwell in August 1904 and they had two children.

They wandered where this City meets the town,

The girl was dressed in simple gingham gown,

The boy who came to woo as sweethearts often do,

Gazed lovingly into the eyes of brown

"I don't see what you see in me," she said,

"Old fashioned as I am, and country bred."

The boy said with a smile,

"I like a girl of style 

But believe me, dear, I'd rather have instead,

An old fashioned girlie in an old-fashioned frock

An old fashioned candlelight a glow,

An old fashioned sofa and an old fashioned clock

That's just about a half hour slow.

And old fashioned courtship with a wedding feast and then

A joy to last our whole lives through,

That's an old fashioned heaven with a bunch of six or seven

Old fashioned kids like you.

The maiden blushed and turned her head away,

She knew not what to do or what to say

The boy as you can guess,

with lover like caress, 

Said "dearest won't you name the wedding day,"

The birds were singing sweetly overhead,

The lily nodded to the roses red,

Two eyes with tears were wet,

To lips in kisses met

As once more the youthful lover fondly said, (chorus)