So Long Mother - Columbia Quartet - 1917

The illustrations around the edges of the screen are drawn from the cover of the sheet music, which features a soldier and his mother hugging each other as they say goodbye. "So Long, Mother" is a World War I song released in 1917, with lyrics by Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn, and music by Egbert Van Alstyne. It was published by Jerome H. Remick & Co. in Detroit. Oh Mother dear, a little tear is gleaming in your eye. Your lips are all a-tremble as you hear me say goodbye. The Stars and Stripes are calling now, on every mother's boy, From Maine to dear old Dixie, they shoulder arms with joy. So long, my dear old lady, don't you cry. Just kiss your grown-up baby boy goodbye. Somewhere in France, I'll be dreaming of you. You and your dear eyes of blue. Come, let me see you smile before we part. I'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart. Dry the tear in your eye. Don't you sigh. Don't you cry. So long, Mother, kiss your boy goodbye. Oh, Mother dear, each volunteer must say goodbye today. Some leave a love who may forget, When he has marched away, But I leave one who'll not forget. That's why I'm mighty glad, For you're the only sweetheart that I have ever had. So long, my dear old lady, don't you cry. Just kiss your grown-up baby boy goodbye. Somewhere in France, I'll be dreaming of you. You and your dear eyes of blue. Come, let me see you smile before we part. I'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart. Dry the tear in your eye. Don't you sigh. Don't you cry. So long, Mother, kiss your boy goodbye. So long, my dear old lady, don't you cry. Just kiss your grown-up baby boy goodbye. Somewhere in France, I'll be dreaming of you. You and your dear eyes of blue. Come, let me see you smile before we part. I'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart. Dry the tear in your eye. Don't you sigh. Don't you cry. So long, Mother, kiss your boy goodbye. So long, my dear old lady, don't you cry. Just kiss your grown-up baby boy goodbye. Somewhere in France, I'll be dreaming of you. You and your dear eyes of blue. Come, let me see you smile before we part. I'll throw a kiss to cheer your dear old heart. Dry the tear in your eye. Don't you sigh. Don't you cry. So long, Mother, kiss your boy goodbye.