a 1917 World War I song
words by Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn
music by Egbert Van Alstyne
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Oh Mother dear a little tear
Is gleaming in your eye
You lips are all a-tremble
As you hear me say “goodbye”
The Stars and Stripes are calling now
On ev’ry mother’s boy
From Maine to dear old Dixie
They shoulder arms with joy
Chorus
So long my dear old lady don’t you cry
Just kiss your grown up baby boy goodbye
Somewhere in France I’ll be dreaming of you
You and your dear eyes of blue
Come let me see you smile before we part
I’ll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart
Dry the tear in your eye
Don’t you sigh don’t you cry
So long mother kiss your boy goodbye
2. Oh mother dear each volunteer
Must say goodbye today
Some leave a love who may forget
When he has march’d away
But I leave one who’ll not forget
That’s why I’m mighty glad
For you’re the only sweetheart
That I have ever had
Sung here by Fred Feild: