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Quiz about Songs of the Great War
Quiz about Songs of the Great War

Songs of the Great War Trivia Quiz

Annie Rimmer from Southport, Lancashire was 16 when World War I began and she knew every word of all these songs and many more. This quiz is a little something for her.

A multiple-choice quiz by dobrov. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
dobrov
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
79,830
Updated
Jul 23 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
2477
Awards
Editor's Choice
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' was a bit dark and wistful for 1914 and the first flush of patriotic fervour. It became, however, one of the biggest hits of the war. The words were written by Lena Ford and the music by a man who would become one of the most prolific of Britain's composers of popular music. Who was he? Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. 'Three German Officers Crossed the Rhine' is only one version of a tremendously popular song that dates from 1915. What is the best-known (and more respectable) version known as? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. The British March King, Kenneth J. Alford, wrote a rousing march in 1915 that re-emerged during World War II as the tune to a rude song about a missing portion of Hitler's lower anatomy. The song resurfaced again in the film 'Bridge Over the River Kwai' and has become immortal. It's called 'Colonel...'

Answer: (One word. B....!)

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Question 4 of 10
4. 'Smile the while you bid me sad adieu, when the clouds roll by I'll come to you. Then the skies will seem more clear, down on Lover's Lane, my dearest...' What is the name of this lovely waltz? Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. 'Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag' was a phenomenally popular marching song of 1915. The lyrics specify that you need a 'lucifer' for your 'fag'. What do they mean? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. Although it was written in 1912, 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' became one of the most popular and enduring of World War I songs. It tells the story of Paddy, an Irish soldier, who is writing to his sweetheart Molly. If she doesn't get the letter, what does he ask her to do? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. This very Irish tenor had Scottish parents and although he became the true 'voice' of the British war, he spent the duration in the United States. His rendition of the wonderful song 'Roses of Picardy' is a classic. Who was he? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. Novelty songs were very popular during the Great War. An incredibly politically incorrect little number tells the story of a 'brave and bold' soldier trying to make time with a beautiful blonde called Katy. He has a problem getting the words out, though. Why? Hint


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Question 9 of 10
9. 'Over there! Over there! Send the word, send the word, over there that the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming...' Who wrote this rousing and inspired song? Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. 'Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning' was not only very popular, but also a personal life statement on the part of the reluctant draftee who wrote it. Who was he? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' was a bit dark and wistful for 1914 and the first flush of patriotic fervour. It became, however, one of the biggest hits of the war. The words were written by Lena Ford and the music by a man who would become one of the most prolific of Britain's composers of popular music. Who was he?

Answer: Ivor Novello

 'There's a silver lining, through the dark clouds shining, turn the dark cloud inside out, 'till the boys come home.' Ivor Novello (1893-1951) was born David Ivor Davies in Cardiff, Wales. The publication of this song turned him into an overnight sensation and he went on to a glorious career as both film star and composer.
2. 'Three German Officers Crossed the Rhine' is only one version of a tremendously popular song that dates from 1915. What is the best-known (and more respectable) version known as?

Answer: Mademoiselle from Armentieres

 No one knows who wrote this song, although it has been suggested that is originally a British Army of India song called 'Skiboo'. Armentieres was a British R and R base during the war, from whence the most popular version of the song presumably sprung.

The three Germans in the less discreet version were off to do some things that can't be mentioned on a family site like this one. 'Hinky dinky parley voo!'
3. The British March King, Kenneth J. Alford, wrote a rousing march in 1915 that re-emerged during World War II as the tune to a rude song about a missing portion of Hitler's lower anatomy. The song resurfaced again in the film 'Bridge Over the River Kwai' and has become immortal. It's called 'Colonel...'

Answer: Bogey

 Colonel Bogey's March, actually. 'Alford' was the pseudonym of Major Frederick Joseph Ricketts (1881 - 1945) of the Royal Marines. He hated the World War II version of his march and refused to have it played or mentioned in his presence. He would have loved the movie.
4. 'Smile the while you bid me sad adieu, when the clouds roll by I'll come to you. Then the skies will seem more clear, down on Lover's Lane, my dearest...' What is the name of this lovely waltz?

Answer: Till We Meet Again

 Music by Richard Whiting, lyrics by Raymond B. Egan. 1916.
5. 'Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag' was a phenomenally popular marching song of 1915. The lyrics specify that you need a 'lucifer' for your 'fag'. What do they mean?

Answer: A match for your cigarette

 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile. While you've a lucifer to light your fag, smile boys that's the style! What's the use of worrying? It never was worthwhile, so, pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.' Fred Powell wrote the music, the lyrics were by Fred Asaf.
6. Although it was written in 1912, 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' became one of the most popular and enduring of World War I songs. It tells the story of Paddy, an Irish soldier, who is writing to his sweetheart Molly. If she doesn't get the letter, what does he ask her to do?

Answer: Write him

 'Paddy wrote a letter to his Irish Molly-o, saying 'If you don't receive this, write and let me know...'. 'Paddy' was the stock name for an Irishman in the British Music Hall during a period when just about everybody found examples of Irish warmhearted idiocy incredibly funny (and somewhat reassuring).

It's possible to sing 'Pack up Your Troubles' and 'It's a Long Way' as a round song. Group one, start off with 'Pack up your troubles...' and when you reach the end of the first line ('Smile, smile smile'); then Group two, join in with 'It's a long way...' Have fun!
7. This very Irish tenor had Scottish parents and although he became the true 'voice' of the British war, he spent the duration in the United States. His rendition of the wonderful song 'Roses of Picardy' is a classic. Who was he?

Answer: John McCormack

 'Roses are shining in Picardy in the hush of the silvery dew, Roses are flowering in Picardy, but there's never a rose like you.' Haydn Wood (music) and Fred Weatherby (lyrics), 1916. John McCormack (1884-1945) is certainly one of the great voices of the 20th century and one of the first megastars of recorded sound.

A highly-regarded bel canto tenor, he gradually shifted his career to focus on recording and the concert stage because he made more money and it got him away from the constant flak he received for his lack of acting talent.

When America entered the war he toured extensively for the Red Cross.
8. Novelty songs were very popular during the Great War. An incredibly politically incorrect little number tells the story of a 'brave and bold' soldier trying to make time with a beautiful blonde called Katy. He has a problem getting the words out, though. Why?

Answer: He stammers

 'K-K-K Katy, b- beautiful Katy, you're the only g-g-g girl that I adore...' It was billed as 'The Sensational Stammering Song Sung by Soldiers and Sailors'. Words and music by Geoffrey O'Hara, 1917.
9. 'Over there! Over there! Send the word, send the word, over there that the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming...' Who wrote this rousing and inspired song?

Answer: George M. Cohan

 It is generally assumed that Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor for this song, but this might not be the case. It is now being suggested that although Cohan did recieve a medal from congress for his musical war effort, it was not the Medal of Honor.

By the time he wrote his autobiography the story had grown a little, and in his film biography 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (1942), the studio decided to sacrifice accuracy in the interests of patriotism and the legend was born.
10. 'Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning' was not only very popular, but also a personal life statement on the part of the reluctant draftee who wrote it. Who was he?

Answer: Irving Berlin

 'One day I'm going to murder the bugler, one day they're going to find him dead!' When Berlin took out US citizenship in 1918 he was immediately drafted and sent to Camp Upton on Long Island for basic training, which he hated. In May 1918 as war work he produced a musical 'Yip, Yip, Yaphank' at New York's Century theatre with an all-soldier cast.

This song was the hit of the show, but Berlin decided to scrap another one he had written because it was, well, too solemn and a little too sentimental for what he had in mind.

The reject went in the bottom of a trunk. It was called 'God Bless America'.
Source: Author dobrov

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Referenced Topics
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