He was born as William Thomas Murray in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrants from Ireland. He became fascinated with the theater and joined a traveling vaudeville troupe in 1893. He also performed in minstrel shows early in his career. He made his first recordings for a local phonograph cylinder company in San Francisco, California in 1897. He started recording regularly in the New York City and New Jersey area in 1903, when the nation's major record companies as well as the Tin Pan Alley music industry were concentrated there.
In 1906 he waxed the first of his popular duets with Ada Jones. He also performed with Aileen Stanley, the Haydn Quartet, the Premier Quartet, and the American Quartet (the latter two actually being the same group), in addition to his solo work.
He had a strong tenor voice with excellent enunciation and a more conversational delivery than common with bel canto singers of the era. On comic songs he often deliberately sang slightly flat, which he felt helped the comic effect.
While he often performed romantic numbers and ballads which sold well at the time, his comedy and novelty song recordings continue to be popular with later generations of record collectors.
Murray's popularity faded with changes in public taste and recording technology; the rise of the electric microphone in the mid 1920s coincided with the rise of the crooners. His "hammering" style, as he called it, essentially yelling the song into the recording horn, did not work in the electronic era, and it took him some time to learn how to soften his voice. While he continued to work, his singing style was considered "dated" and less in demand. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he also did voices for animated cartoons, especially the "follow the bouncing ball" type which incorporated songs from his salad days. He also did radio work.
Murray made his last recordings in 1943 and retired to Freeport, Long Island, New York in 1944. He died in nearby Jones Beach.
The Grand Old Rag
Billy Murray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it sets my brain a-reeling,
When I'm listening to the music of a military band.
Any tune like "Yankee Doodle"
Simply sets me off my noodle,
It's that patriotic something that no one can understand.
"Way down south, in the land of cotton,"
Ain't that inspiring?
Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll join the jubilee!
And that's going some, for the Yankees, by gum! Red, white and blue, I am
For you!
Honest, you're a grand old flag!
I'm no cranky hanky panky,
I'm a dead square, honest Yankee,
And I'm mighty proud of that old flag
That flies for Uncle Sam.
Though I don't believe in raving
Ev'ry time I see it waving,
There's a chill runs up my back that makes me glad
I'm what I am.
Here's a land with a million soldiers,
That's if we should need 'em,
We'll fight for freedom!
Hurrah! Hurrah! For every Yankee tar
And old G.A.R.
Ev'ry stripe, ev'ry star.
Red, white and blue,
Hats off to you
Honest, you're a grand old flag!
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'Neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
"The Grand Old Rag," also known as "You're a Grand Old Flag" is a patriotic song written by George M. Cohan in 1906. Billy Murray's rendition of the song is a testament to the inherent love that many Americans have for their country. The song begins with an admission that something happens to Murray when he hears the music of a military band, specifically when any tune like "Yankee Doodle" is played. Although he cannot explain it, there is a feeling that comes over him that is patriotic and undeniable.
Murray's lyrics in "The Grand Old Rag" go on to describe a land that is proud of its history, its flag, and its soldiers. The power of the song is in the way that it taps into the American psyche, creating a sense of pride and nostalgia for a country that has been built upon the ideals of freedom and democracy. The chorus -- "You're a grand old flag, You're a high flying flag, And forever in peace may you wave" -- is a testament to the resilience of the country and its continued strength in the face of adversity. The chorus is also a call to unity, urging Americans to come together as one in their love for the country.
The song is also rich in metaphor and symbolism, evoking the land of cotton, Yankee tars, and G.A.R. soldiers. These lyrics are a reminder of the sacrifices that people have made to build and protect the country. The song's final line -- "But should auld acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the grand old flag" -- encourages Americans to remember their past and to guide their future by honoring the ideals represented by the flag.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a feeling comes a-stealing,
A sense of patriotism that arises within the singer when they hear military music.
And it sets my brain a-reeling,
The feeling is so intense that it overwhelms the singer.
When I'm listening to the music of a military band.
The source of this feeling is the specific type of music played by military bands.
Any tune like "Yankee Doodle"
This feeling is not limited to one particular song, but is triggered by many.
Simply sets me off my noodle,
The artist becomes very excited and involved when they hear these patriotic songs.
It's that patriotic something that no one can understand.
The source of this feeling is indescribable and experienced on an emotional level.
"Way down south, in the land of cotton,"
A reference to the song 'Dixie' and the culture of the Southern United States.
Melody untiring,
The tune is catchy and memorable.
Ain't that inspiring?
The tune is rousing and motivating.
Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll join the jubilee!
Exclamations of enthusiasm and excitement in response to the patriotic music.
And that's going some, for the Yankees, by gum!
Praising the fact that the patriotism being expressed is particularly intense and passionate.
Red, white and blue, I am For you!
Identifying the artist's patriotism with the colors of the US flag.
Honest, you're a grand old flag!
A declaration of love and loyalty to the US flag.
I'm no cranky hanky panky,
Assuring the listener that the singer's patriotism is genuine and authentic.
I'm a dead square, honest Yankee,
Asserting the singer's identity as a true American patriot.
And I'm mighty proud of that old flag
The artist takes great pride in the US flag and what it represents.
That flies for Uncle Sam.
The US flag is a symbol of the nation and its government.
Though I don't believe in raving
The singer does not consider themselves to be excessively enthusiastic or fanatical about patriotism.
Ev'ry time I see it waving,
Despite this, the sight of the US flag still fills the singer with emotion.
There's a chill runs up my back that makes me glad
The emotion that the sight of the US flag invokes is positive and pleasurable for the artist.
I'm what I am.
Accepting and proud of their identity as an American patriot.
Here's a land with a million soldiers,
Praising the courage and strength of the American military.
That's if we should need 'em,
Acknowledging that the military's strength is there to protect the nation if necessary.
We'll fight for freedom!
Emphasizing the importance of freedom as a core value of America.
For every Yankee tar
Honoring the sailors of the US Navy.
And old G.A.R.
Honoring the Grand Army of the Republic, a union veterans' organization.
Ev'ry stripe, ev'ry star.
Celebrating the design of the US flag.
Hats off to you
A gesture of respect and reverence towards the US flag.
You're a grand old flag,
Addressing the US flag as a beloved and revered national symbol.
You're a high flying flag
Praising the US flag for its visibility and prominence.
And forever in peace may you wave.
Expressing a hope for the continued safety and stability of the nation.
You're the emblem of
Describing the US flag as a symbol of America's identity.
The land I love.
Praising America as a country worthy of the artist's affection and loyalty.
The home of the free and the brave.
Describing America as a place that values freedom and courage.
Ev'ry heart beats true
Describing the universal feeling of patriotism and loyalty to America.
'Neath the Red, White and Blue,
These values are embodied in the US flag and what it represents.
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Despite this patriotism, Americans are humble and don't feel the need to show off or assert their superiority.
But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
A reference to the song 'Auld Lang Syne', traditionally sung on New Year's Eve.
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
Encouraging listeners to remember the importance of patriotism and loyalty to America as represented by the US flag.
Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andrewberrocal2281
Rest In Peace Mr.Murray
@bobbyfrancis8957
When I read my book, "Show Biz - From Vaude to Video back in 1971, it said Cohan titled the song "Grand Old Rag" and I was laughing and from then on I'm calling it a rag, forever and ever. And I'll admit, Cohan is a great lyricist,I read his autobiography "Twenty Years On Broadway" ( read and finished it in two days, couldn't put it down) all he had was six weeks of school! The principal called him to his office and said, "You're finished. You're through." I wish they said that to me, I was mostly self-taught. I was reading before I started kindergarten!
@ogmhj
this is like something i would hear in a fever dream
@doublepickaxeyt3400
Facts. I'm not American but this song slaps
@Mr.Amtrak
I dont wanna disrespect billy murray but his voice is very high pitch but its sounds very patriotic and cheerfull but i dont know why peoples voice around 1904 or 1908 sound like a cartoon charecter
@thejlchannelofficial
@@Mr.Amtrak I think it's due to the 115+ year old record...
@Mr.Amtrak
@@thejlchannelofficialyeah problably but if you hear im a yankee doodle dandy by george M cohan his voice sounds more like todays peoples voice cause yankee doodle dandy was published in 1904 and your a grand old rag was published in 1906 but im not sure im not 115 years old
@thejlchannelofficial
@@Mr.Amtrak Could you send me a link please to the song you're talking about? I can only find ones that were sung by Billy Murray.
@PHONKISREAL_MUSIC
I love this song
@Chromium123
I much miss him 😭😭