When a Blue Service Star Turns to Gold
| "When a Blue Service Star Turns to Gold" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song | |
| Released | 1918 |
| Composer(s) | Theodore Morse |
| Lyricist(s) | Caspar Nathan |
| Producer(s) | Leo Feist, Inc. |
"When a Blue Service Star Turns to Gold" is a World War I era song released in 1918. Caspar Nathan wrote the lyrics. Theodore Morse composed the music.[1] Leo Feist, Inc. of New York, New York published the song. Featured prominently on the sheet music cover is a service star. Beneath it are soldiers charging with artillery, a tank, and a plane.[2] It was written for both voice and piano.[3][4][5]
The title of the song refers to the service flags people would place in their windows during wartime. A flag with a blue star meant a member of that family or organization was serving in the war. If the blue star was replaced with a gold star, this indicated that the soldier had died in battle.[6] The chorus is as follows:[5]
- When a blue service star turns to gold,
- What a tale of affection is told!
- Duty to country has cost one his all,
- While others at home are bowed
- down with the call
- In their sorrow, the one's left behind,
- Voice a pray'r that is e'er borne in mind
- Til souls meet on high,
- they must whisper "Good-bye"
- When a blue service star turns to gold
The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ Vogel, Frederick G. (1995). World War I Songs: A History and Dictionary of Popular American Patriotic Tunes, with Over 300 Complete Lyrics. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 268. ISBN 0-89950-952-5.
- ^ Parker, Bernard S. (2007). World War I Sheet Music. Vol. 2. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 773. ISBN 978-0-7864-2799-4.
- ^ "When a blue service star turns gold". Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "When a Blue Service Star Turns To Gold". JScholarship. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ a b "When a blue service star turns gold". Library of Congress. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "The Service Banner". Flag Pro. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ When a blue service star turns to gold. OCLC 52634205. Retrieved 28 January 2016 – via OCLC WorldCat.
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