I'm Going to Follow the Boys (Novelty Song) is a World War I era song released in 1917. Howard Rogers wrote the lyrics and James V. Monaco composed the music. The song was published by M. Witmark & Sons in New York City.
| "I'm Going to Follow the Boys (Novelty Song)" | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music cover | |
| Song | |
| Released | 1917 |
| Composer(s) | James V. Monaco |
| Lyricist(s) | Howard Rogers |
On the cover of the sheet music, there is a photograph of American silent film actress, Gladys Leslie saluting, while dressed in uniform.[1] She also performed the song.[2]
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![3]
The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.[4]
References edit
- ^ Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. Vol. 1. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-7864-2798-7.
- ^ "I'm Going to Follow the Boys: novelty song". Baylor University: Frances G. Spencer Collection of American Popular Sheet Music. Baylor University. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ^ "I'm going to follow the boys". Library of Congress. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ^ I'm going to follow the boys: novelty song. OCLC 499104738. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via OCLC WorldCat.
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