Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There"

"Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There"" is a World War I era song released in 1917. Bernie Grossman wrote the lyrics. Alex Marr composed the music.[1] It was published by Joe Morris Music, Co. of New York, New York. The sheet music cover was designed by the Starmer Brothers. It features a family praying at the dinner table. Behind them is a sentry guarding a campground of tents. There is an inset photo on the left side that varies per edition.[2] The song was written for both voice and piano.[3][4][5][6]

"Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There""
Song
Released1917
Composer(s)Alex Marr
Lyricist(s)Bernie Grossman
Found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library; inset photo of Anna Kerwin
Inset photo of Florence Rayfield
Inset photo of Jeanette Yonge
Inset photo of Polly Russell
Inset photo of Irene Law

It was recorded by artists Bob Hall [5] and the Peerless Quartet.[7]

The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.[8]

Lyrics

Verse 1:
A mighty nation hears a ringing call to arms,
A call that draws her sons from city, vale, and farm;
A nation sends the best of us across the sea,
That the rest of us forever may be free;
And while a mighty nation's heart will yearn,
Let's pray that they will soon return:

Chorus:
Won't you say a prayer for the boys out there,
For our heroes o'er the sea,
In that raging fray by night and day
They're fighting for you and me;
When they take their stand in No Man's Land,
We know they'll do their share;
So that we may live,
Their lives they give;
Say a prayer for the boys out there.

2nd Verse:
A nation's mighty voice will reach across the sea,
And cheer the hearts of those who fight for liberty;
A nation's prayers will help the weaker ones along,
And will strengthen them when everything goes wrong;
And while a nation's sons will do or die,
Let's call to the One upon high.[9]

References

  1. Vogel, Frederick G. (1995). World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 234, 359.
  2. Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. 2. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 573. ISBN 978-0-7864-2799-4.
  3. "Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There." The Greatest Patriotic Ballad of the Season". JScholarship. JScholarship. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  4. "Say a prayer for the boys "out there"". Duke University Libraries: Digital Collections. Duke University. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  5. "Say a prayer for the boys "out there"". Brown University Library. Brown University. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  6. "Say A Prayer For The Boys 'Out There'". Mississippi State University: University Libraries Digital Collections. Mississippi State University. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  7. Bielsen, Kenneth (1999). The Lyrics of Civility: Biblical Images & Popular Music Lyrics in American Culture. Routledge. ISBN 9780815331933.
  8. "Say a prayer for the boys "out there"". OCLC WorldCat. OCLC WorldCat. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
    • Vogel, Frederick G. (1995). World War I Songs: A history of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. ISBN 0-89950-952-5. OCLC 32241433., page 357.


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