A Forgotten Song from WWI
One often hears songs from WWI and WWII and has seen them played on film in countless musicals. However, few if any have ever seen many depictions of Black soldiers and the songs of the era that stimulated the public and kept the public aware of their efforts in "The Great War".
What a pleasant surprise to find some old sheet music reflecting the role of Black soldiers and their contributions to the world's fight for democracy.
W.J. Nickerson wrote such a piece devoted to the "Colored Soldiers of the U.S.A." This song along with others taken to Europe during WWI, not only motivated the soldiers, but it exposed jazz---America's music to the world.
Nickerson the composer was a noted man of music and was said to be the teacher of Jelly Roll Morton and others.
In the book "Scott's Official History of the American Negro in the World War" it was stated that the song had "a lively step and a resonant swing..."
Excerpt from "Scott's Official History of the American Negro in the World War." p.314
Such songs long forgotten deserve to be heard again and hopefully someone with musical talent and an interest in history, will pull out their instruments and let the notes fill the air again.
Musical Score of Colored Soldier Boys of Uncle Sam
Musical Score of Colored Soldier Boys of Uncle Sam
Let the music be heard once again!
1 comment:
This is a wonderful post. William Joseph Nickerson was a music professor who taught many of the pioneering Jazz greats. His daughter, Camille Nickerson, taught at Howard and helped to spread Louisiana Creole music around the globe.
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