Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There"

Not to be confused with Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There.

"Say a Prayer for the Boys "Out There""
Song
Released	1917
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. Vol. 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. 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 19956731. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
9. *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.

External links

• View the song MP3 and sheet music cover here.