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Songs of the Great War

Crafted by Trivia Architect dobrov

Fun Trivia : Quizzes : History of Music : Songs of the Great War

Introduction:
"Annie Rimmer from Southport, Lancashire was 16 when World War I began and she knew every word of all these songs and many more. This quiz is a little something for her."


1. 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' was a bit dark and wistful for 1914 and the first flush of patriotic fervour. It became, however, one of the biggest hits of the war. The words were written by Lena Ford and the music by a man who would become one of the most prolific of Britain's composers of popular music. Who was he?
    Irving Berlin
    Noel Coward
    Ivor Novello
    Kenneth J. Alford


2. 'Three German Officers Crossed the Rhine' is only one version of a tremendously popular song that dates from 1915. What is the best-known (and more respectable) version known as?
    Pack Up Your Troubles
    I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier
    It's a Long Way to Tipperary
    Mademoiselle from Armentieres


3. The British March King, Kenneth J. Alford, wrote a rousing march in 1915 that re-emerged during World War II as the tune to a rude song about a missing portion of Hitler's lower anatomy. The song resurfaced again in the film 'Bridge Over the River Kwai' and has become immortal. It's called 'Colonel...'
    Answer: (One word. B....!)


4. 'Smile the while you bid me sad adieu, when the clouds roll by I'll come to you. Then the skies will seem more clear, down on Lover's Lane, my dearest...' What is the name of this lovely waltz?
    Keep the Home Fires Burning
    Till We Meet Again
    It's a Long Long Trail
    Roses of Picardy


5. 'Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag' was a phenomenally popular marching song of 1915. The lyrics specify that you need a 'lucifer' for your 'fag'. What do they mean?
    A match for your cigarette
    A leash for your dog
    A lantern for your equerry
    A machine gun for the Germans


6. Although it was written in 1912, 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' became one of the most popular and enduring of World War I songs. It tells the story of Paddy, an Irish soldier, who is writing to his sweetheart Molly. If she doesn't get the letter, what does he ask her to do?
    Send him a wire
    Forget him
    Write him
    Wait for him regardless


7. This very Irish tenor had Scottish parents and although he became the true 'voice' of the British war, he spent the duration in the United States. His rendition of the wonderful song 'Roses of Picardy' is a classic. Who was he?
    John McCormack
    Ivor Novello
    Archbald McCleen
    Raymond Egan


8. Novelty songs were very popular during the Great War. An incredibly politically incorrect little number tells the story of a 'brave and bold' soldier trying to make time with a beautiful blonde called Katy. He has a problem getting the words out, though. Why?
    He lisps
    He stammers
    He keeps clearing his throat (ahem, ahem)
    He mumbles


9. 'Over there! Over there! Send the word, send the word, over there that the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming...' Who wrote this rousing and inspired song?
    Irving Berlin
    George M. Cohan
    George Gershwin
    Cole Porter


10. 'Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning' was not only very popular, but also a personal life statement on the part of the reluctant draftee who wrote it. Who was he?
    Irving Berlin
    George Gershwin
    George M. Cohan
    Cole Porter


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