Bring Back My Daddy to Me

"Bring Back My Daddy To Me" is a World War I era song released in 1917. William Tracey and Howard Johnson wrote the lyrics. George W. Meyer composed the music.[1] Leo Feist, Inc. of New York, New York published the song.

"Bring Back My Daddy To Me"
Song
Released1917
Composer(s)George W. Meyer
Lyricist(s)William Tracey, Howard Johnson

Sheet music

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The sheet music cover was designed by Rosenbaum Studios. It features child star Madge Evans in the center. Surrounding her image are silhouettes of soldiers in various fighting positions.[2] Evans would go on to become one of the leading actresses of her time, starring in films such as, Dinner at Eight (1933), David Copperfield (1935), Pennies from Heaven (1936).[3] She performed, "Bring Back My Daddy To Me."[4]

The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.[5]

Analysis

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The song was written for both voice and piano.[6][7][8] It is a waltz. The song was also published for band, orchestra, and male quartet.[9] It sold well, which may be attributed to the fact that a high number of children were losing their fathers in the war. The story of the song was relatable to many.[3]

The song begins with a young girl playing with her toys. Her birthday is approaching, and her mother asks her what she'd like as a present. The girl replies that all she wants is her father back. The mother begins to cry, and says, "There are more little girls/In this grief-stricken world,/All saying the same thing tonight:" The chorus is as follows:[10]

"I don't want a dress or a dolly,
'Cause dollies get broken 'round here.
I don't want the skates,
The books or the slates
You bought for my birthday last year.
If you'll bring the present I ask for,
Dear mother, how happy I'll be;
You can give all my toys
To some poor girls and boys,
But bring back my daddy to me!

Recordings

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It was recorded both by Robert Lewis and Harry McClaskey.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Vogel (1995) p. 159 World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics (McFarland & Company, Inc.)
  2. ^ Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. Vol. 1. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 59–60. ISBN 978-0-7864-2798-7.
  3. ^ a b Vogel (1995) p. 56 World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics (McFarland & Company, Inc.)
  4. ^ "Bring back my Daddy to me". Baylor University Digital Collections. Baylor University. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  5. ^ Bring back my Daddy to me. OCLC 35326176. Retrieved 2 March 2016 – via OCLC WorldCat.
  6. ^ "Bring back my daddy to me". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Bring Back My Daddy To Me". Mississippi State University: University Libraries Digital Collections. Mississippi State University. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Bring Back My Daddy To Me". JScholarship. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  9. ^ "bring back my daddy to me". Brown University Library. Brown University. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  10. ^ Vogel (1995) p. 301 World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics (McFarland & Company, Inc.)
  11. ^ Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 100. ISBN 9783447102780.

Bibliography

  • Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 9783447102780.
  • Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. Vol. 1. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2798-7.
  • Vogel, Frederick G. World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1995. ISBN 0-89950-952-5