I N F O R M A T I O N
M A S T E R a
World War I Song Lyrics
Over There
On Patrol in No-Man’s Land
by George M. Cohan
by James Reese Europe
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
What’s the time? Nine?
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run,
Fall in line
Hear them calling you and me,
Alright, boys, now take it slow
Every son of liberty.
Are you ready? Steady!
Hurry right away, no delay, go today,
Very good, Eddie.
Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad,
Over the top, let’s go
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
Quiet, lie it, else you’ll start a riot
To be proud her boy’s in line.
Keep your proper distance, follow ’long
Cover, brother, and when you see me hover
Chorus
Obey my orders and you won’t go wrong
Over there, over there,
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming,
There’s a Minenwerfer [German mortar] coming
—look out
The drums rum-tumming everywhere,
Hear that roar, there’s one more
So prepare, say a prayer,
Stand fast, there’s a Very light [flare]
Send the word, send the word, to beware,
Don’t gasp or they’ll find you all right
We’ll be over, we’re coming over,
Don’t start to bombing with those hand grenades
And we won’t come back till it’s over,
There’s a machine gun, holy spades!
Over there.
Alert, gas! Put on your mask
(Repeat)
Adjust it correctly and hurry up fast
Send the word, send the word, over there,
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun, you’re a son-of-a-gun,
Hoist the flag and let her fly,
Yankee doodle-doo or die.
Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit,
Yankees to the ranks from the towns and the tanks,
Make your mother proud of you,
And the old red white and blue.
Chorus
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Drop! There’s a rocket from the Boche [German]
barrage
Down, hug the ground, close as you can, don’t stand
Creep and crawl, follow me, that’s all
What do you hear? Nothing near
Don’t fear, all’s clear
That’s the life of a stroll
When you take a patrol
Out in No-Man’s Land
Ain’t it grand?
Out in No-Man’s Land
The Course and Conduct of World War I 1
I N F O R M A T I O N
M A S T E R b
Learning About World War I Military Technologies
Follow these steps to confirm your predictions about World War I military technologies:
1.Read the primary source excerpt your teacher gives you. Discuss with your partner what
type of technology you think the excerpt describes.
2.Locate the station that has a diagram of your technology. Check the primary source excerpt
at the station to make sure you have located the correct technology.
3.Examine the diagram and information at the station. Discuss these questions with your
partner:
•What adjectives would you use to describe this technology?
•What must it have been like for combatants to experience this technology in battle?
•Do you think this technology affected the number of battle casualties?
4.Complete your Reading Notes.
•Sketch the technology next to its label on your map of Europe.
•Read the caption from your Reading Notes in which you predicted how this technology
might have changed the war experience for combatants. If necessary, revise your caption.
Add one or more facts about the technology that support your caption.
5.Get a new primary source excerpt from your teacher. Repeat Steps 1–4 for your new
excerpt.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Course and Conduct of World War I 2