Music

Dominion Day in Ontario

This souvenir postcard included alternate Canadian lyrics to British standards, in honour of Canada's founding day.

Soldiers' Songs

This collection of songs for soldiers includes words and accompaniment.

Canadian Soldiers' Song Book

This collection of soldier's songs from the Y.M.C.A. provides the words for national anthems, local songs of regions from Scotland to Hawaii, and religious songs.

Patriotic Songs

A typical combination of song sheet and recruiting pamphlet, this leaflet included traditional anthems and hymns for which new lyrics had been written.

To the RCAF

The romance of flying was the central theme of this 1940 composition that was billed as "Canada's Air Song."

Climbin' High.pdf (11.01 MB)

"God save our men"

With some careful re-wording, the British national anthem "God Save the King" was turned into a tribute to men at war.

"The power of the military band"

Community bands enjoyed a high profile during the First World War, in part through their support of battalion and regimental bands, which provided musical entertainment throughout the war years. This magazine also included notes from musicians in uniform, details of the latest patriotic tunes, and reflections on the value of music in a democratic society.

Cdn Bandsman.pdf (4.2 MB)

"Side by side with Britain we will go"

Another in a long line of patriotic songs that featured maternalism as a theme, Miller's piece was sung by some of the most popular vocalists of the First World War era.

Rallying around the flag

This song was dedicated to the Canadian overseas contingents, and was published at a time when no one knew exactly how many contingents Canada would eventually send to battle.

Best Old Flag.pdf (1.84 MB)

A Canadian March Song

This very early patriotic song began with a stirring reference to bugle calls "from Niagara Falls to the coast of Halifax."

Soldier Lad.pdf (36.78 MB)