The Patriotic March Song
As explained in Tim Cook’s The Singing War: Canadian Soldiers’ Songs of the Great War, soldiers often sang songs as they marched across the frontlines. March songs were important to the troops, as they had to turn to each other for sources of entertainment. Cook writes that the activity of singing brought the men together, to find joy in a situation that would otherwise be isolated and grim. Many march songs recycled melodies from original popular or traditional music, to which the soldiers would rewrite lyrics.
Although many marches spoke of Canadian identity and patriotism, songs sung by soldiers varied widely in themes, from satire and parody to nostalgia, sentimental to smutty and provocative. The large array of subject matter may be surprising to those of us looking back on these march songs from the present, but one should find it important to see that what any of these songs truly indicate are the words of human beings attempting to survive circumstances of the most dangerous proportions.
Cook, Tim. "The Singing War: Canadian Soldiers' Songs Of The Great War." American Review Of Canadian Studies, vol 39, no. 3, 2009, doi:10.1080/02722010903125740.
They’re Khaki Clad
Composition by Fred G. Brown and lyrics by Grant E. Cole, They’re Khaki Clad publicizes itself as “The greatest of all Patriotic March Songs.” The song describes the soldiers’ uniforms as being khaki in colour, suggesting this was written about British soldiers.
Verse 1
See them coming down the street, Hear the drums and tramp of feet.
Boys in Khaki one and all, Listen, you’ll hear the bugle call.
Off they go to meet the enemy, In our fight for right and Liberty,
On each face there is a smile, And they’re dressed in the very latest style.
Verse 2
See them coming down the line, Hearts in tune and step in time.
They don’t ask the reason why, Ready to dare, to do, or die.
When war’s dull grey skies have turned to blue, Boys in khaki we will wait for you,
Ev’ry hour we hope and pray, That you’ll come back home to us some day.
Upon reading the lyrics to this song, one may notice that it is written in the voice of civilians, admiring the brave soldiers as they march to war. With its copyright dating this song’s release to have been near the end of the First World War, one could imagine that true soldiers’ march songs may have made it back home by then, and this Patriotic March Song emulates them out of respect for the soldiers’ bravery.
In the Way of Duty
Written and composed by Bertie Aikin Green, In the Way of Duty is another example of a Patriotic March song written in honour of soldiers gone to war. This is made extremely clear by the dedication to “The Empire’s Overseas Forces” that can be read at the top of the score’s cover. One may find it interesting to note how the accompanying piano score consists of simple chords striking on the beat, intended to mimic a marching pace and at times evoking the sound of footsteps as both hands are indicated to alternate chords on the downbeats as well as the upbeats.
Verse 1
Here’s a little thought boys, We would like to say,
Just to tell you here once more before you go away,
You have done your best, And a shirker you’ve not been.
Keep it up, keep it up, the battle you will win,
And remember this boys, As you leave our shore,
We’ll be praying for you, As we never did before.
Marching on, marching on, marching on,
Marching on, In the way of duty MARCH
Verse 2
Say are we downhearted! No! Our answer take,
We are fill’d with hope, And courage for our country’s sake,
When we hear the Cavalry, And Mounted Rifles click,
And we hear them singing, “We’re down hearted not a bit,”
And on your return boys, When you reach our shore,
We’ll be glad and thank the lads, For peace like that of yore.
Marching on, Marching on, marching on,
Marching on, In the way of duty.
Words of patriotism as well as encouragement for the troops can be read throughout the text. Like They’re Khaki Clad, this song is written in the civilians’ voice, raising the question that perhaps this song, although its lyrics would indicate otherwise, is intended for the civilians back home rather than the soldiers on the front. What was the purpose of Patriotic March Songs if not to encourage soldiers?
In a 1941 article in Music Educators Journal, Chauncy B. King provides an overview of how powerful music can be in times of war, and how it can be used for “controlling a mob spirit” rather than “getting people to fight.” As supportive and encouraging as Patriotic March Songs may be, it is important to ask oneself how efficient this form of music would be if used as propaganda, as there are good chances they were.
Chauncey B. King. “Propaganda Music.” Music Educators Journal, vol. 27, no. 5, 1941, pp. 59–59.