From “ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1918,” 1918. A 1918 World War I song. Title on Cover: “I’m Gonna Pin A Medal…”. Words and Music by Irving Berlin. Cover Art by Albert W. Barbelle. Copyright ©2 Jul 1918. Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
1. “Over there” in France in a big advance
Little Johnny stood the test
Johnny held his ground, now he struts around
With a medal on his chest
There’s a happy look in his eyes
And ev’ry now and then he cries
Chorus
I’m gonna pin my medal on the girl I left behind
She deserves it more than I
For the way she said “goodbye”
You should have seen her try to keep away the tears that blind
A braver hero Would be hard to find
She puts a smile in ev’ry letter she signs
But I can read what’s in her heart between the lines
And when I get back
Yes, when I get back
I’m gonna pin my medal on the girl I left behind
2. When the boys come home from across the foam
To the girls they love the best
There’ll be more than one little Yankee son
With a medal on his chest
When the drive is over this Spring
A lot of soldier boys will sing