“Over There”
by George M. Cohan
1917
Click on the image to hear a version of the song recorded in 1917 by The American Quartet
This space is set aside for a contextualizing narrative. It is available to either a contributing educator or for a student to submit.
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Add to the discussion
The initial conversation addresses some of the questions that are used to analyze a primary source, but not all. With your teacher’s guidance, please record your insights on the following, and submit them to the site for publication:
What status in society did song writers like George M. Cohan have in the early 20th century
How was this song made and using what material(s)? Remember, “material” doesn’t always mean tangible things.
Who was the intended audience of “Over There”?
Why was this song written?
Gallery
Music is consistently attached to American wars, but the First World War was the initial instance of war-related songs being recorded and distributed that way. Please supply examples of
Music inspired by this and other American Wars
Songs from 1914-1919 that share similar ideas as Cohan’s
Songs from 1914-1919 that refute or challenge ideas like what “Over There” expresses
Other versions of “Over There”