"The Man Who Put the Germ in Germany" is a song written in 1918 during World War I. Lyrics and music were composed by Nora Bayes, Sam Downing, and Abe Glatt.[1] Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, Inc. of New York City published the song for both voice and piano.[2] It reached number seven on the US song charts in August 1918.[3]
| "The Man Who Put the Germ in Germany" | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music cover | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1918 |
| Label | Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, Inc. |
| Songwriter(s) | Nora Bayes, Sam Downing, and Abe Glatt |
On the cover of the sheet music is a large picture of Nora Bayes.[4]
The song celebrates America by using word play of famous leaders' names like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to highlight their achievements. For example, in the chorus:[2]
And we love our Lincoln too,
for he "linked" the Gray and Blue,
And Washington "washed" tyranny away
The use of word play continues throughout the song, even to shine a negative light on Germany and its emperor during World War I, Wilhelm II. The lyrics read:[2]
But the world is now a flame
At the "Hell" in Wilhelm's name,
The man who put the "Germ" in Germany
References
edit- ^ Vogel, Frederick (1995). World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 207. ISBN 0-89950-952-5.
- ^ a b c "The man who put the germ in Germany". loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ "Top Songs of 1918". Music VF.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. Vol. 1. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 393. ISBN 978-0-7864-2798-7.