John McCormack There's a Long Long Trail

[av8tor17b]

My Grandfather served in the field artillery in France in 1918. He died in 1994, but not before he shared with me many memories of his great adventures as an 18-year old in France in the U.S. Army. I served 21 years as well. Miss you Pop. Take Care. See you soon.

[av8tor17b]

Nights are growing very lonely, Days are very long; I'm a-growing weary only List'ning for your song. Old remembrances are thronging Thro' my memory. Till it seems the world is full of dreams Just to call you back to me. Chorus: There's a long, long trail a-winding Into the land of my dreams, Where the nightingales are singing And a white moon beams: There's a long, long night of waiting Until my dreams all come true; Till the day when I'll be going down That long, long trail with you.

[av8tor17b]

There's A Long, Long Trail A-Winding.

Written in 1915. Words by Stoddard King, Music by Alonzo "Zo" Elliott; the song proved popular among America's newly-departed Doughboys of World War I.

This version of the song recorded by John McCormack on 7 June 1917, coincidentally the opening day of the Battle of Messines.



[danthon]

my great grandafther, Stoddard King wrote this song thanks for posting.

[Somme1916Somme]

Wonderful Thankyou..

[TrudiM100]

I have a wonderful version of this by Warren Michell, but perhaps that's just becaue I'm a Londoner.

[PaintPissOrCabaret]

My grandmother used to sing this song, and then tell us about how the first world war soldiers who had been blinded would sing it as they walked in a line, each with his hand on the shoulder of the man in front to guide them.

[NovaScotiaMan]

When we were kids, we had an old Victrola and Records with a picture of a dog saying something like His Master's Voice... anyway, here in Bass River, Nova Scotia, my sister and I would crank up the old Victrola and this was one of the records we played over and over. Brings back lots of memories. Our parents were born here but jumped in the old '39 Buick and drove from Boston to Bass River as soon as school was out and stayed in our cottage on the Bay of Fundy, or Cobequid Bay to be precise.

[Soulthinker2007]

The last veteran of WWI died yesterday at age 110. This song is for him.

[Mullahgrrl]

@Soulthinker2007 He was lucky.

[ChaationBergin]

Nobody in my generation likely understands what's so touching about this song.

[baghend]

A lovely old poignant song, with that fine tenor of so long ago.

Thanks for this.

Isn't it strange that from such carnage and horror, came such beautiful old songs.

[Litterboxer529]

my grandad sang this on his holding boat in the English channel just a few hours before the D-Day invasions. it was a moment of peace before the hell that would greet them ashore

[baghend]

@Litterboxer529 Did he survive? Did he talk of it to you? Not prying, just interested in your story.

-Bill

[Litterboxer529]

@baghend yeah he lives with us

[baghend]

@baghend Thanks. Hope he's OK. Are you in the U.K.? I'm in Canada.

Tell him Thanks, for me. From all of us here, Thanks.

-Bill

[Litterboxer529]

@baghend I live in the US but I was born in Canada. He was on Juno Beach with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.

[baghend]

@Litterboxer529  That beach was a nightmare. I don't think its possible for us to imagine what they went through.

My heart felt thanks to your Grandfather.

-Bill

[Litterboxer529]

@baghend His name was Adam. Edwin. Rossberg. His father was German but fought for Canada in WWI. He was the only Jewish soldier in B Company (that we know of).

[baghend]

@Litterboxer529 I think this is a story worth telling, and your Great Grandfather's as well, given the official government position on Jewish immigration at the time, as well as the bigotry endemic here then- it's a sad chapter in our history that shames us. This is your family history but its one that should be read about in schools and shared with all Canadians. I hope your Grandfather has a memoir that he can leave us.

Thankyou for sharing this with us.

-Bill

[donaldnewton58]

Thumbs up if you heard this on MASH episode "Change of Command."

[bearcub410]

makes me think of my grandfather and grandmother . my grandfather was in the first world war and my grandparents got married right after it ended in 1919 thanks you so much , wonderful

[broadleygreen]

This the song sung by the ghost of a soldier singing to his lover who still lives

[Sumac44]

I first heard this on "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".

[Pikachuiscool]

@Sumac44 Me too. :)

[TertiusOculusOris]

MASH for the win!!!!!!!!!

[Caigul]

first time i heard this was on MASH

[thx4077]

Me too! Potters first episode. That scene gave me chills.

[donaldnewton58]

@thx4077 Yeah me too.

[laram5]

Aye, Me Too.

[Elemiriel]

@Caigul me too... they only sung 4 lines, but it was enough to make me cry!

[UBIQUITOUS12]

What a glorious voice he had before 1920.

[2playraretunes]

This one of the precious songs that my dear grandpa used to sing to us. I would love to be able to buy it or download it especially for my mom who is 96 years old. I am putting her old photos on a dvd for her to view...,and would love to make it possible for her to listen to some of these wonderful tunes as she views them. Can you help me??

[TertiusOculusOris]

Download aTube Catcher and you can easily download this video audio into mp3 format.

[TertiusOculusOris]

What twisted path has music these days taken?

[fortbruce]

Another great 10" 78 record!

[MANFROMMARS46]

What a wonderful song this is and sung by the great Count John McCormack.