Performance on the Frontlines
The power of music was indeed valued within militaries during the Great War, as foot soldiers were not the only ones drawing moral support through song. Composers and bands formed within Divisions would hold performances for the soldiers, raising morale. For an example, look to Captain Merton Wesley Plunkett and The Dumbells.
Captain Merton Wesley Plunkett (1888-1966)
Merton Wesley Plunkett was born in Orillia, Ontario on January 11th, 1888. He played piano and trombone, and studied music before the war. During the war, within the Canadian Infantry Regiment, Plunkett was Captain of the 3rd Division Headquarters, and was made Honorary Captain of the 35th Battalion. As honorary Captain, Plunkett coordinated, directed, and performed in amateur shows and concert parties at camps in England and France.
Captain Merton Wesley Plunkett was the creator of The Dumbells, a group of Canadian Soldiers he formed in 1917.
Leroux, Marc. "Captain Merton Wesley 'Mert' Plunkett." Canadiangreatwarproject.Com, 2016
The Dumbells
The Dumbells entertained soldiers of the trenches from 1917 until the end of the First World War. Of all the Canadian concert parties held for the troops, The Dumbells were the most popular. As mentioned previously, The Dumbells were formed by Captain Merton Plunkett, and was solely composed of soldiers. Three other notable members were Ross Hamilton, a “Female Impersonator,” a pianist by the name of Jack Ayre, and Corporal Al Plunkett, brother to Merton Plunkett.
The Dumbells’ early shows mostly featured comedy sketches and patriotic songs. They had a popular theme song titled “Dumbell Rag,” which was composed by Jack Ayre, the pianist. As the group’s popularity grew, the members were removed from their respective units to be attached as an official band, indefinitely. They were charged with raising morale wherever soldiers were, were it in the trenches or on the frontlines.
After the war, The Dumbells chose to continue their performances outside of the Army, and set off on their first Canadian national tour in 1919. Dumbells songs were eventually sold as sheet music. As long as the scores were of songs previously performed by the group, they sold well. In 1921, the Dumbells’ popularity truly extends into the United States, as they become a Broadway hit.
The New Dumbells
A year after appearing on Broadway, some of the members of The Dumbells left the group. Only Merton Plunkett, Al Plunkett, and Ross Hamilton remained. Recruitment of the Plunketts’ third brother, Morley, sparked the beginning of The New Dumbells. Merton composed Come Back Old Pal, which would become one of their greatest hits as a score in 1924.
The New Dumbells ultimately disbanded in 1932 after several years of economic hardship, due to the popularity of “Talkies,” the decline of Vaudeville, and the Great Depression.
"The Dumbells - Library And Archives Canada." Bac-Lac.Gc.Ca, 2016.
Come Back Old Pal
This score features a photograph of Captain Plunkett himself on the cover. As this song was performed by The New Dumbells, indicating so on the score would attract consumers. Thematically different to other songs one might find in this exhibit, it is clear that this score belongs to a time after the Great War.
Verse 1
Once in childhoods happy days, You and I together play’d,
Dear Pal of Mine!
To the old schoolhouse we’d roam And thro’ lover’s lane go home,
Dear Pal of Mine!
Now you’ve wander’d far away, And in dreams I hear you say:
“Love I’ll be returning, For that love that once was mine,
Love so pure and so divine Forever I will yearn.”
Chorus
Come back, come back, Old Pal of Mine,
Come back, come back to me.
I seem to hear you say “Let’s find the road that leads back to yesterday,”
Come back, come back, Old Pal of Mine
Oh hear my tender plea!
I’ve waited oh so long for you,
Won’t you come back, won’t you come back to me? Come
Verse 2
Since you left me all alone Love for you has stronger grown
Dear Pal of Mine!
Tho’ you seem so far away Still I think of you each day,
Dear Pal of Mine!
Now I sit alone and dream Of the days that might have been.
Can’t you hear me calling Calling to you from afar
Ever wond’ring where you are And if you will return?
Chorus
Come back, come back, Old Pal of Mine,
Come back, come back to me.
I seem to hear you say “Let’s find the road that leads back to yesterday,”
Come back, come back, Old Pal of Mine
Oh hear my tender plea!
I’ve waited oh so long for you,
Won’t you come back, won’t you come back to me?