First world war songs

What about When this lousy war is over

www.ww1photos.com/WhenThisLousyWarIsOver.html

Yes - there are lovely, but a bit too "highbrow" and technically difficult for the amateur non-music readers that will comprise the choir.

Not pertaining to the Britten or to Owen I am very keen to find a way that the project will concentrate on the celebratory element of the end of the war and do not want it to become jingoistic or glorifying war. It is a fine line.

ps Benjamin Britten set some of them to music. A bit too "modern" for me, but interesting.

I wonder if you were going to include a reading of some of the poetry of WW1? Especially Wilfred Owen.
It's very sad though.

Oh - and we hope to include some element of women's roles in the war.

So....not much to do then?!

I thought you might be interested to know what else might be in the programme. The plan is to have the first half including the sort of songs that you have all kindly been suggesting, finishing with an 18 minute piece that has been specially written for us on the subject of the feelings of the fighting soldiers and their families, and to include young male soloists of a similar age to the soldiers

The second half will have both children and adults singing and, as well as music hall songs of the period, will also have the children acting as the hope for peace, with some known peace songs and some that we hope will emerge from working with the schoolchildren throughout the year on creating lyrics on the theme of peace. There will also be some inspirational and celebratory songs in this second half.

It is all very exciting and I love working on it. I am grateful for all your input.

Hush here comes a whizz bang...
I agree lots of ideas on Oh what a lovely war

Thank you all!!!

This is all great! I am making a list!

What a fabulous idea for a concert! How about adding the recruiting song that was popular in the music halls 'Make a man of you'? It's the one that ends - "But on Saturday I'm willing, if you'll only take the shilling, To make a man of any one of you."

My grandma taught me 'There's a wrong way to tickle Mary' to the tune of Tipperary. I guess she learned it from her brothers who were in the trenches.

There's a wrong way to tickle Mary
There's a wrong way you know
There's a wrong way to tickle Mary
She's the strongest girl I know
First she'll twist your arm round
And bend it up your back
There's a wrong, wrong way to tickle Mary
Cos your bones, she'll crack.

Your concert sounds great btw.

My mother was always singing, I'm trying to remember the songs and whether or not they were WW1 and just afterwards. The ones I remember are:

Little Grey Home in the West
Rose Marie

Bye Bye Blackbird (1926)
Someone to Watch over me (1926)

Luckygirl You are starting early.

Also "We don't want to lose you, but we think you ought to go. For your king and your country both need you so. A recruiting song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTJXwOs2_bA

This one as well. www.phil.muni.cz/angl/gw/warww.html
Rather saucy. Can't find a youtube of it.

Till the Clouds Roll By

An American one:
How Ya Gonna Keep Em down on the Farm after They've seen Paree?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgqVCJpRqWQ

and, of course, this wasn't the National Anthem then, but Advance Australia Fair always brings a tear to the eye (well mine, anyway)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pusr0ftHYl0

The Lads in Navy Blue:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsGvQDDbmko

Australia Will be There:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHyUHvPkHSU
here's a newer recording by a choir:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ScU1q4LUrA

Not sure I remember most of these but I do remember "wish me luck as you wave me goodbye" played at my dads funeral and we all burst out laughing and danced to it.

Luckygirl I expect you already know this but you can sing 'Pack up your Troubles' & 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' both at the same time. Well, obviously you (by yourself) can't, it takes two or more, but it's sounds lovely sung by a choir, especially if the two tunes are split between the various voice types.

just saying

Another couple for you - 'Bless 'Em All' and on a totally contrasting note, 'When This Bloody War is Over'

How about 'only a bird in a gilded cage' which was an old Music Hall favourite from 1902. My mum used to sing it while she was doing housework and then she sang it to my children. Not a very appropriate lullaby but a lovely melody - I still sing it to my grandchildren.

Another favourite of mine is 'My Grandfather's Clock' which my dad used to sing, but I'm not sure how old that is.

I don't know how you would feel about this song because of it's close connection to Rolf Harris, but 'Two Little Boys' was written in 1902 about two young boys who grow up to be soldiers. I believe it was sung during WW1 - it was a popular music hall song of the time.

Oh What a Lovely War is full of WW1 songs - and well worth a watch!

MrsEggy I think you are right - I have duly slapped my own wrist!

Brilliant! - I will get stuck into researching these. Thank you so much.

I also had it in mind to look for some songs from other countries involved, like France, Australia etc.

It is hard to find songs that relate specifically to the celebratory element at the end of the war.

Whitewave you have just about covered it! What about "Goodbye Dolly Grey"?