A WWI song from 1918
Words by Joe Burns and Arthur Fields
Music by Archie Gottler
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Soldier boy fought for Old Glory
Now he is safely home
I begged to hear his story
Of hardships across the foam
He said “The saddest day
Was when I sailed away”
Refrain:
“I held back each tear as I kissed mother dear
I held back the tears when I kissed dad
I held back each tear as I kissed wifey dear
But oh, how it made me sad
I tried to be brave as we parted
I held back each tear with a sigh
But when I had to kiss my baby
That’s the kiss that made me cry”
- Most every story’s worth hearing
Many remain untold
Each story’s tale’s endearing
And well worth its weight in gold
Saddest of all I heard
Let me repeat each word
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: