The Shadow
The birth of the United States and its significance for freedom inspires patriotic spirit and is accordingly reflected in American culture.
American emblems such as “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “The Pledge of Allegiance” are some of the cultural staples of American patriotism.
Audiences pay their respects to the great American flag as they listen to or recite the lines to these iconic works.
To many, the American flag is a rallying cry and a symbol for opportunity and for hope.
Celebrating the American flag, Broadway legend George M. Cohan wrote “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The chorus of the march song partly goes:
You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high-flying flag,
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of the land I love,
The home of the free and the brave.
“You’re a Grand Old Flag” is not the only popular Cohan work to stimulate American patriotism and pride.
Upon learning the news of American involvement in World War I, Cohan came up with a musical masterpiece. “Over There” is a song that highlights the strength of American soldiers who prepared to deploy to Europe to fight the Central Powers:
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming everywhere.
So prepare, say a prayer,
Send the word, send the word to beware –
We’ll be over, we’re coming over,
And we won’t come back till it’s over, over there.
The song caught the attention of American soldiers, the public and even President Wilson! According to the Library of Congress, two million copies of sheet music of “Over There” were sold by the end of World War I.
Before World War I, Americans also fell in love with Cohan’s “The Yankee Doodle Boy.” The song references a Yankee’s father enlisting in war against the Spanish in the Spanish-American War.
I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy,
A Yankee Doodle, do or die;
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam,
Born on the Fourth of July.
Interestingly, while his baptismal certificate says otherwise, Cohan and his family insist that Cohan was born on July 4, 1878. Wikipedia says he was born on July 3.
Many of the above works include references to Uncle Sam, the American flag and language from the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Actor James Cagney later played George Cohan in the Warner Brothers film, Yankee Doodle Dandy. One day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which took the lives of roughly 2,400 Americans, the filming commenced.
Because that attack, dubbed at the time “a day that will live in infamy,” galvanized the nation, Cagney and the rest of the film crew felt that producing the movie was a duty.
Cagney’s performance reflected his passion for the film and he would receive the Academy Award for his portrayal as George M. Cohan.
According to Cagney’s biography by Doug Warren, Cagney believed that his work in Yankee Doodle Dandy transcended all of the other performances during his career.
While Cohan did not live through the end of World War II to see his beloved country triumph, he did get an opportunity to watch Yankee Doodle Dandy. Cohan gave the movie high praise.
The same year that the movie was released, Cohan passed away.
I have seen the movie, and while not entirely accurate, it is an excellent and fun watch.
I admire Cohan’s life and patriotism. The love for the United States is a strong and consistent theme throughout Cohan’s life. His love for country contributed to a fervent environment of patriotic spirit and strength.
Like Cohan, I am proud to be an American.
I proudly put my hand over my chest as the bugles and drums ring out to a performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
On the Fourth, I will enjoy parades, food and good music, including Cohan’s tunes.
It is a blessing from God that we live in this great country. I am grateful for the heroes and the leaders that helped us persevere and triumph.
As celebrations begin for the 249th anniversary of our country’s founding, I pray that we uphold the values that make our country the greatest in the world.
And I will gladly cheer our flag, “the emblem of the land I love, the home of the free and the brave.”
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.
