Released 1917 | Label M. Witmark & Sons | |
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Writer(s) Composer: James V. Monaco
Lyricist: Howard Rogers | ||
I'm Going to Follow the Boys (Novelty Song) is a World War I era song released in 1917. The lyricist credited is Howard Rogers. The composer is James V. Monaco. The song was published by M. Witmark & Sons in New York, New York.
On the cover of the sheet music, there is a photograph of American silent film actress, Gladys Leslie saluting, while dressed in uniform. She also performed the song.
The song is told from the first-person point of view of a woman who is used to being surrounded by boys. But because they're all fighting overseas in the war, she is lonely. To fix her problem, she comes up with a "great idea": to follow the boys to war. The chorus is as follows:
I'm going to follow the boys over there Anywhere I don't care I'm just dying for one little dance But all my dancing partners are "Somewhere in France" I've never nursed anyone I'll admit But I'm strong to do my bit And if one little kiss or more Can help them win the war Why I'm going to follow the boys!The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.
References
I'm Going to Follow the Boys Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA