World War 1 Music Essay

“Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile,” a common song and phrase used by the soldiers of WWI. The music of World War One had a large impact on the feelings and thoughts of the public and soldiers. Songs of this time period were full of references to the war and what should be done about it. The music of this time impacted the war by supporting it, giving reason to it, exploiting it, and giving hope to soldiers. Most artists were in favor of the war. One song created to push in favor of the war was It’s Time for Every Boy to Be a Soldier, created by Alfred Bryan and Harry Tierney. This song was directed at young men to become part of the army, so they would see how much strength and courage they had. It’s Time for Every Boy to Be a Soldier attempted to convince the men that their country was calling for them to protect it and pay the price of love and freedom. It would emit a sense of passion and duty to those who listened to it. Influencing both men and women to do their part with the war and support it in any way possible. Music will sometimes influence how we think and explain things we don’t fell we know. Their lyrics would suggest that men should leave home to protect the ones they love. One such song by Lena Ford
They used their music and their following to protest and display the actions of the war. Al Piantadosi was one of the most influential songwriters, and he wrote the first famous anti-war song. His song I Didn’t Raise my Boy to be a Soldier was a hit in 1915. In this song he vividly writes and sings, “Ten million soldiers to the war have gone who may never return again, ten million mothers’ hearts must break for the ones who died in vain.” Al Piantadosi wrote this song in the hopes it would persuade the American public not to join into the war. His efforts did not stop American troops from being dispatched into the war, but it did leave a lasting impression on