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What Did You Do in the Great War, Daddy?
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The subject of a child innocently shaming their father for failing to carry out military service was a commonly used theme of war propaganda.
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“Tell My Daddy to Come Home Again“
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The songs sung by music hall artists during the First World War were often filled with war fever and patriotism. Propaganda messages promoted through song could appeal both emotionally as well as rationally and had the added benefit of being easily remembered and repeated by the average citizen. Tell My Daddy to Come Home Again: The Evening News Lonely Soldiers Song, recorded by Stanely Kirkby in 1915, is one such song, with lyrics written from the perspective of a child lamenting their father who has gone off to war.
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‘Sons of Australia’
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'Sons of Australia' was composed by Felix McGlennon in 1900, during Australia’s participation in the Second Boer War. It became popular again during the First World War, and this version was recorded in 1915.
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The fleet's afloat
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Prior to radio, songs were largely heard performed in music halls. People would then visit music shops to purchase the sheet music of tunes they liked. Many homes had a piano, and at least one member of the family knew how to play it, providing a common form of entertainment and socialization. Music shop owners would often employ a pianist to perform during business hours so customers could hear the sheet music played live. If a song was particularly popular, it would then be recorded by professional musicians.
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'When the war is over, mother dear'
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Though your heart is aching, mother dear
For your soldier boy never fear
I’ll come back some day, and kiss your tears away
When the war is over, mother dearIn this somewhat maudlin song, written and recorded in England in 1915, a soldier laments being far away from home and from his mother, and promises to return to her.
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Boys of the Dardanelles
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Boys of the Dardanelles
They faced the shot and the shells
Down in hist'ry their fame will goThe patriotic ballad ‘ Boys of the Dardanelles ', composed by Australian writer and singer Marsh Little, was particularly effective for encouraging recruitment. This version was performed by the prolific English singer and recording artist Stanley Kirkby.