The Parlor Songs Academy
Songs of the Great War, Volume 1
A nostalgic look at the songs of World War I. Each song has bee re-recorded with new instrumentation and including the original verses.
Release date: January 2012
Play album
Free download
1
Over There-1917
The most famous and recognizable song of WW I. In 1936, Congress authorized a special medal for Cohan in recognition of all his patriotic songs and, in particular, this one.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:43
2
Where Do We Go From Here-1917
A song of Percy Wenrich that made a lot of dough for him and yet is scarcely recalled today.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:33
3
How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On the Farm-1918
When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, the population was still rural. Many of the doughboys had never been outside their home county when they were called up to serve. This song speaks to their transformation after seeing the outside world for the f
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:32
4
Hello Central, Give Me No Man's Land-1918
This song was introduced by the great Al Jolson in the stage play Sinbad at the Winter Garden in New York. This same show also spawned the mega-hit Swanee by George Gershwin.
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:56
5
We're Going Over-1917
The excitement generated by our entry into the war resulted in a number of "going over" songs that were meant to depict the positive attitude and belief that the war would be a quick one with few casualties.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:48
6
Send Me Away With a Smile-1917
Although Al Piantadosi would go on to write a number of patriotic numbers during the war, he was decidedly anti-war prior to U.S. entry in 1917.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:51
7
Oh, How I Wish I Could Sleep-1918
(Full Title - Oh, How I Wish I Could Sleep Until My Daddy Comes Home). One of the many tear-jerkers written during the war.
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:38
8
I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be a Soldier-1915
Like "Oh How I Wish I Could Sleep", another anti-war song from Al Piantadosi.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:42
9
It's Time For Every Boy To Be a Soldier-1917
This song is an answer to the previous song and interestingly the lyricist, Alfred Bryan, has completely changed his mind about the war.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:54
10
Bring Back My Daddy To Me-1917
Another example of the wartime tear jerker, and a beautiful solo by Parlor Songs Academy female vocalist Debbie Purdue
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:29
11
Goodbye Broadway, Hello France-1917
Although there is no love lost between the U.S and France today, the lyrics here represent the deeply held conviction at the time that America owed its independence to the help given by France against the British.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:06
12
And He'd Say Oo-la-la, Wee Wee-1919
This is charming comic song about a French lady and American soldier overcoming their language barrier in a delightful way!
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:51
13
I'm Going To Follow the Boys-1917
These years were the pre suffrage years in America and not only could women not vote but their participation in military affairs were severely restricted.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:55
14
The Rose of No Man's Land-1918
A tribute to the American Red Cross.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:27
15
Tell That To the Marines-1918
A scornful response to a tall and unbelieved story.
MP3 (128 kbps)
2:58
16
When You Come Back-1918
Although not as famous as Over There, this is another lively number by one of Americas greatest patriotic composers.
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:02
17
Mother, Here's Your Boy-1918
MP3 (160 kbps)
2:32
18
You'll Have To Put Him To Sleep-1918
(Full Title - "You'll Have To Put Him To Sleep With the Marseilles, And Wake Him Up With an Ool-La-La)
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:37
19
You Can't Blame the Girlies At All-1917
Not really a patriotic or "war" song, this cute tune tells why "ev'ry girl wants to marry a soldier".
MP3 (128 kbps)
3:05
