Released 1917 | ||
 | ||
Writer(s) Composer: Egbert Van AlstyneLyricist: Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn | ||
"So Long, Mother" is a World War I era song released in 1917. Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn wrote the lyrics. Egbert Van Alstyne composed the music. The song was published by Jerome H. Remick & Co. of Detroit, Michigan. On the cover is a soldier and mother in an embrace. To the left is an inset photo of singer Al Jolson. It was written for both voice and piano.
The song is told from the soldier's point of view as he comforts his heavyhearted mother before he leaves for war. The chorus is as follows:
So long my dear old ladydon't you cryJust kiss your grown-up baby goodbyeSomewhere in France I'll be dreaming of youYou and your dear eyes of blueCome let me see you smile before we partI'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heartDry the tear in your eyeDon't you sighDon't you crySo long, motherKiss your boy goody-byeThe sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.
References
So Long, Mother Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA