When the Boys Come Home

"When the Boys Come Home"
Sheet music cover
Song
Written1915
Composer(s)Oley Speaks
Lyricist(s)John Hay

"When the Boys Come Home" is a World War I song. It was first published as sheet music in 1915 with music by Oley Speaks and lyrics by John Hay.[1]

1917 version

Oley Speaks composed the song. John Hay wrote the lyrics. The piece was written for both voice and piano. The song, written in first person, takes on a positive tone. The lyrics detail the happiness and celebration that will be felt when the soldiers return home from war.[2]

Another song published in 1918 with the same name had lyrics by John Hay and music by Calvin W. Laufer.[1]

1919 recording

The 1919 version was performed by Louis Graveure and recorded on February 13, 1919. The song was released by Columbia Records.[3] It reached the number nine spot on the US song charts in June 1919.[4]

Notable performances

It was performed in Richfield, Utah in 1918 by Mrs. R. G. Clark.[5] and in Allo Allo by Lieutenant Gruber.

References

  1. ^ a b Vogel, Frederick G. (1995). World War I songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. Jefferson, North Carolina, and London: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 271. ISBN 0899509525.
  2. ^ "When the boys come home". Library of Congress. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Louis Graveure (vocalist: baritone vocal)". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Louis Gravieure Songs". Music VF. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. ^ Heintze, James R. (2009). Music of the Fourth of July: A Year-by-Year Chronicle of Performances and Works Composed for the Occasion, 1777-2008. McFarland & Company. p. 248. ISBN 9780786439799.


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