If I Had a Son For Each Star in Old Glory

. . . Uncle Sam, I’d give them all to you.
A 1917 World War I song.
Words by J. E. Dempsey.
Music by Jos. A. Burke.
Song suggested by Peter Masri.

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The sheet music:

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Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

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Lyrics

1. Uncle Sam, is that somebody calling?
   Some one calling you from far away
   Don’t you hear that gentle mother’s voice?
   Listen, this is what she seems to say
   “While I’m only one of the million other mothers
   I speak for all the U. S. A.”

Chorus
“Though God never made men for soldiers
Now the clouds of war have burst
We must pray for the best and prepare for the test
Our country must come first
Tho’ I’ve but one boy to offer
He’s yours when you call
That’s all a mother can do
But if I had a son for each star in old glory
Uncle Sam, I’d give them all to you!”

2. Uncle Sam, I’ll paint a picture for you
   Frame the scene, in battle clouds of gray
   Count the dead and dying soldier boys
   Call the picture, “What a Price to pay!”
   And over each son place a broken hearted mother
   Too sad to weep, yet proud to say

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Sung here by Fred Feild: