A 1918 popular World War I song.
Words and music by Walter Fryburg & Cyrille Lamar.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. The boy I love has gone to war, I’m proud as I can be
To have him wear the uniform that stands for liberty
He’s not the leader of his squad, he has no chevrons bright
But I’m sure he’ll be right up in front when they begin to fight
Chorus
He’s just a common private soldier
But he’s a Yankee true
Willing to die for his homeland
And for his sweetheart, too
I know he’ll do his part with valor
For he’s as brave as he can be
He’s just a common private soldier
But he’ll always be a hero to me
2. He’s only one of countless men, of millions of his kind
But for ev’ry private in the ranks, there’s someone left behind
To hope and pray while he’s away, so far across the sea
And to cheer him on his onward march thro’ France to victory
Sung here by Fred Feild: