Till We Meet Again (1918 song)

Last updated
"Till We Meet Again"
Till-We-Meet-Again-1918.jpg
Cover of "Till We Meet Again", 1918
Song
LanguageEnglish
Published1918
Composer(s) Richard A. Whiting
Lyricist(s) Raymond B. Egan

"Till We Meet Again" is an American popular song. The music was written by Richard A. Whiting, the lyrics by Raymond B. Egan in 1918. Written during the Great War, the song tells of the parting of a soldier and his sweetheart. The title comes from the final line of the chorus:

Contents

Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu,
When the clouds roll by I'll come to you,
Then the skies will seem more blue,
Down in lovers lane my dearie,
Wedding bells will ring so merrily,
Every tear will be a memory,
So wait and pray each night for me,
Till we meet again.

As Whiting's daughter Margaret tells it, the song was intended for a 1918 contest at a Detroit theater. Dissatisfied with the result, Whiting threw the manuscript in the trash. His secretary retrieved it and showed it to their boss, publisher Jerome Remick, who submitted it in the contest, where it won top honors.

The song gained widespread popularity in Canadian traditional music circles as a result of its use as the closing number for the CBC television program Don Messer's Jubilee. [1] It continues to be a standard ending number for Old Time dances across the country.

In 1919, it was the number 1 song of the year as recorded by Henry Burr and Albert Campbell. [2]

Other artists who recorded the song include: Charles Hart & Lewis James, Gitz Rice & Vernon Dalhart, Nicolas Orlando's Orchestra, [3] British duet Coltham & Parker, [4] Doris Day, Albert Brunies, Kid Thomas Valentine, George Lewis, Bing Crosby, Kay Starr, Patti Page, and Danielle Haim.

The song and tune was adapted by supporters of English football team, Huddersfield Town in the 1920s and is still sung by them. ("Smile Awhile") [5] [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Morning Mr. Zip-Zip-Zip!</span> Ragtime song

"Good Morning Mr. Zip-Zip-Zip" is a ragtime song published as sheet music in 1918 by Leo Feist Inc. of New York City. It was one of the most popular tunes with United States soldiers during the World War I era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard A. Whiting</span> American composer and songwriter

Richard Armstrong Whiting was an American composer of popular songs, including the standards "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" and "On the Good Ship Lollipop". He also wrote lyrics occasionally, and film scores most notably for the standard "She's Funny That Way".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond B. Egan</span>

Raymond Blanning Egan was a Canadian-born American songwriter of popular music. Many of his songs have appeared in films and musical theatre. He often collaborated with composer Richard A. Whiting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep the Home Fires Burning (Ivor Novello song)</span> Song

"Keep the Home-Fires Burning " is a British patriotic First World War song composed in 1914 by Ivor Novello with words by Lena Guilbert Ford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Yankee Doodle Learns to "Parlez Vous Français"</span> Song

"When Yankee Doodle Learns to "Parlez Vous Français"" is a World War I song published by A.J. Stasny Music Co. Based on estimates of sales, a performance of the song by Arthur Fields in 1918 was ranked #8 in the United States when it was featured on his Oh! Frenchy album, released by Victor. The lyrics playfully present American soldiers learning French so that they may flirt with women while in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If He Can Fight Like He Can Love, Good Night Germany!</span> Song

"If He Can Fight Like He Can Love, Good Night Germany!" is a World War I song from the perspective of a woman confident that her boyfriend will be a good soldier because he was a good lover. It became a hit after it was released by The Farber Sisters in 1918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somewhere in France Is the Lily</span> 1918 song by Joe Howard and Philander Chase Johnson

"Somewhere In France Is the Lily" is a World War I march composed in 1918 by Joseph E. Howard with lyrics written by Philander Chase Johnson. It became a hit twice in 1918, charting when released by Charles Hart and by Henry Burr. The song presents a young couple separated by war but held together by love and the sentimental value of lily flowers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Lips Are No Man's Land But Mine</span> Song

"Your Lips Are No Man's Land But Mine" is a World War I war song. It became a hit in 1918 when released by Henry Burr & Albert Campbell, charting peaking at #2 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Au Revoir But Not Good Bye, Soldier Boy</span> Song

"Au Revoir, but not Good Bye: Soldier Boy" is a 1917 song composed by Albert von Tilzer, with lyrics written by Lew Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There)</span> Song

Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There) is a 1918 song composed by M.K. Jerome, with lyrics written by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. The song was published by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co. The song was performed by Henry Burr and reached number one on the top 100 US songs of 1918. Burr's recording sold a million copies in sheet music and sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Like Washington Crossed the Delaware, General Pershing Will Cross the Rhine</span> 1918 song by George Meyer and Howard Johnson

"Just Like Washington Crossed the Delaware, General Pershing Will Cross the Rhine" is a 1918 song composed by George W. Meyer, with lyrics written by Howard Johnson and published by Leo Feist, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Are All Americans</span> Song

"We Are all Americans (Allegiance)' is a song written during World War I with music composed by Carrie Jacobs-Bond and lyrics written by Fanny Hodges Newman. It is found in the Library of Congress record of notable music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty Bell (It's Time to Ring Again)</span> Song

The cover has George Washington, Betsy Ross, and her helper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring Back My Daddy to Me</span> 1917 song

"Bring Back My Daddy To Me" is a World War I era song released in 1917. William Tracey and Howard Johnson wrote the lyrics. George W. Meyer composed the music. Leo Feist, Inc. of New York, New York published the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">And He'd Say, "Oo-La-La! Wee-Wee!"</span> 1919 song by Billy Murray

"And He'd Say, 'Oo-La-La! Wee-Wee!'" is a World War I era song released in 1919. Lyrics and music were written by George Jessel and Harry Ruby. William Baker arranged the song. It was published by Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, Inc. of New York, New York. The song was written for voice and piano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come On Papa</span> Song by Joseph C. Smiths Orchestra

"Come On Papa" is a World War I era song released in 1918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dear Old Pal of Mine</span> Song

Dear Old Pal of Mine is a World War I song written by Harold Robe and Gitz Rice. The song was first published in 1916 by G. Ricordi & Co. in New York, NY.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Pershing: One Step</span> Song

General Pershing: is a march composed in 1918 by Carl D. Vandersloot and published by Vandersloot Music Publishing Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Some Lonesome Night</span> Song

Some Lonesome Night is a song by George W. Meyer with lyrics by Grant Clarke and George Whiting. It was published in 1918 by Leo Feist Inc.

"Lafayette " is a World War I song written and composed by Mary Earl, which was a pseudonym of Robert A. King. It was published in New York, New York by Shapiro, Bernstein, & Co. in 1918. The sheet music cover, illustrated by Albert Barbelle, depicts soldiers marching with fixed bayonets below a statue of Lafayette in silhouette.

References

  1. Canadian Music Encyclopedia, Don Messer
  2. Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 268, ISBN   9783447102780.
  3. Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 268, ISBN   9783447102780.
  4. Zonophone Record Catalogue, 1922 http://sounds.bl.uk/related-content/TEXTS/029I-ZONXX1922XXX-0000A0.pdf
  5. Huddersfield Town predated by Norwich City tune but older than Birmingham City fans' song - Huddersfield Daily Examiner - 20 December 2014
  6. Smile Awhile - Full lyrics - Huddersfield Town Wikipedia page