I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier, 1915
Al Piantadosi, 1884-1955 (Composer); Alfred Bryan, 1871-1958 (Lyricist); Rosenbaum Studios, New York, NY (Illustrator); Leo Feist, Inc., New York, NY (Publisher)
Song Sheet, lithograph on paper
On loan from the Joseph M. Bruccoli Great War Collection, Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of South Carolina
The sentiments of these songs rang true in 1915 when most Americans supported neutrality. Cover art for songs promoting neutrality often depicted mothers embracing their sons before departure for training or the front lines overseas. Other examples illustrate mothers pleading with U.S. Government officials not to send their husbands and sons off to war.