Ballads & Songs of WWI

In this meticulously researched anthology, Jerry Silverman uses the popular music of the World War I (1912-1919) to provide a thorough overview of the political and social milieu of the times as well as a sense of the futility of war. Extensive historical notes and period photographs enhance this collection of 59 songs chosen for their musical value as much as for their historical significance. Silvernman writes, "There were two parallel streams of songs being created during the course of 'the war to end all wars'-one by the soldiers 'over there' and the other by songwriters 'over here'." Tin Pan Alley titles include: It's a Long Way to Tipperary, 'Til the Boys Come Home (Keep the Home Fires Burning), I Don't Want to War, I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier, I've Got the Army Blues, Hello Central-Give Me France, Over There, Oh! How to Get Up in the Morning,and How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm; Tin Hat Alley tunes include: Diggin', Deep-Sea Blues, When I Lay Down, The Passing Pilot and Hinky Dinky, Parley-voo. Each song is shown in piano/vocal format with accompaniment chord symbols. Many of the soldiers' songs appear in print here for the first time."