Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There"

"Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There""
Song
Released 1917
Label Joe Morris Music, Co.
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

"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]

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. 1 2 "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. line feed character in |title= at position 41 (help), page 357.


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