Till We Meet Again (1918 song)

"Till We Meet Again" is an American popular song. The music was written by Richard A. Whiting, the lyrics by Raymond B. Egan in 1918. Written during the Great War, the song tells of the parting of a soldier and his sweetheart. The title comes from the final line of the chorus:

Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu,
When the clouds roll by I'll come to you,
Then the skies will seem more blue,
Down in lovers lane my dearie,
Wedding bells will ring so merrily,
Every tear will be a memory,
So wait and pray each night for me,
Till we meet again.
"Till We Meet Again"
Cover of "Till We Meet Again", 1918
Song
LanguageEnglish
Published1918
Composer(s)Richard A. Whiting
Lyricist(s)Raymond B. Egan

As Whiting's daughter Margaret tells it, the song was intended for a 1918 contest at a Detroit theater. Dissatisfied with the result, Whiting threw the manuscript in the trash. His secretary retrieved it and showed it to their boss, publisher Jerome Remick, who submitted it in the contest, where it won top honors.

The song gained widespread popularity in Canadian traditional music circles as a result of its use as the closing number for the CBC television program Don Messer's Jubilee.[1] It continues to be a standard ending number for Old Time dances across the country.

In 1919, it was the number 1 song of the year as recorded by Henry Burr and Albert Campbell.[2]

Other artists who recorded the song include: Charles Hart & Lewis James, Gitz Rice & Vernon Dalhart, Nicolas Orlando's Orchestra,[3] British duet Coltham & Parker,[4] Doris Day, Albert Brunies, Kid Thomas Valentine, George Lewis, Bing Crosby and Patti Page.

The song and tune was adapted by supporters of English football team, Huddersfield Town in the 1920s and is still sung by them. ("Smile Awhile")[5] [6]

References
  1. Canadian Music Encyclopedia, Don Messer
  2. Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 268, ISBN 9783447102780.
  3. Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 268, ISBN 9783447102780.
  4. Zonophone Record Catalogue, 1922 http://sounds.bl.uk/related-content/TEXTS/029I-ZONXX1922XXX-0000A0.pdf
  5. Huddersfield Town predated by Norwich City tune but older than Birmingham City fans' song - Huddersfield Daily Examiner - 20 December 2014
  6. Smile Awhile - Full lyrics - Huddersfield Town Wikipedia page


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