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“Just Like Washington Crossed the Delaware, General Pershing Will Cross the Rhine” Sheet Music

Note: This item is currently in storage.

On the home front, support for the war came in many forms. George M. Cohan’s "Over There" proved to be the most memorable example of support through popular music; however, many other composers drummed up enthusiasm for American troops. Composed by George W. Meyer, with lyrics by Howard Johnson, "Just Like Washington Crossed the Delaware, General Pershing Will Cross the Rhine" was a popular song published in 1918. Drawing comparisons between George Washington and the Revolutionary War, the song tells listeners, “You and I and our descendants must preserve democracy, God above we’ll trust, our sword shall never rust, we’ll tell the world it simply has to be.”

 

The song was recorded by the Peerless Quartet, and can be heard on the National Jukebox at the Library of Congress.

 

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