For nearly three years after the outbreak of the war in midsummer 1914, the United States resisted any commitment. For both historical and personal reasons, the nation was isolationist, buffeted by its American population who had loyalties on each side. Enormous numbers of citizens of German extraction exerted great pressure on this country to avoid any foreign entanglements as did the Irish-Americans who had long been antagonistic to the English. On the other hand, Americans of English descent were clamoring for our active involvement. They elaborated on the bestiality of the Huns, or Boches, the titles bestowed on the German troops. The stalemate continued through Wilson’s second presidential campaign, in which the Democrats’ winning slogan was ‘He kept us out of war.’

But after his election, Wilson realized it would be to America’s advantage if the Allies were successful; and in April, 1917, he went before Congress to ask them to declare war in order to ‘Make the world safe for democracy.’ Two months later, the Selective Service Act, the draft, was enacted; and by the time the war ended in 1918, America had two million men in Europe and two million more in camps at home.

For the most part, the songs of World War I were merry, high-spirited, and frequently amusing, occasionally displaying a bit of sentiment, but rarely evincing any somber tones. These pieces, sung by civilians, those in the camps, and those in the trenches, trace the country’s early attitude and its changes.