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.
You're A Grand Old Flag
Billy Murray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the 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.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
The lyrics of Billy Murray's song, "You're a Grand Old Flag," expresses an unwavering sense of patriotism that is deeply felt by Americans. The song celebrates the American flag as a timeless symbol of freedom and a source of inspiration for all Americans. The music is upbeat and patriotic, setting the tone for the strong sense of national pride that the song conveys. The lyrics suggest that the flag has the power to unite all Americans, regardless of their individual differences.
The opening lines, "You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag" evoke a sense of pride and admiration for the flag. The chorus repeats the sentiment, "And forever in peace may you wave, you're the emblem of the land I love, the home of the free and the brave." The song uses vivid imagery to describe the flag as a symbol of America, representing the ideals of freedom and bravery that are at the heart of the country's identity. The song reminds listeners that no matter what challenges the country may face in the future, they should always keep their eyes on the "grand old flag."
Line by Line Meaning
You're a grand old flag,
You are a magnificent symbol of pride for the nation.
You're a high flying flag
You fly high above all others, representing the greatness of this country.
And forever in peace may you wave.
May you always fly peacefully, representing the harmony of the nation.
You're the emblem of
You are a symbol of
The land I love.
The country that I cherish for its freedom and greatness.
The home of the free and the brave.
A place where people are free and courageous.
Ev'ry heart beats true
Every person's heart resonates with
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
The colors of the American flag – red, white and blue.
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Where people don't seek to boast or show off.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Even if old friendships are lost
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
Don't forget the greatness of America and continue to cherish it.
Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mace Arc SW
There's a feeling comes a-stealing
And it sets my brain a-reeling
When I'm list'ning 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"
Melody untiring
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
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
Under red, white and blue
Where there's never a boast or brag
But should old acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag
I'm a 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 ev'ry 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
Under red, white and blue
Where there's never a boast or brag
But should old acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag
Gabriel Fleming
It’s a grand old flag
It’s a high flying flag
It’s the emblem for me and for you
It’s the emblem of the team we love
The team of the red and the blue
Ev'ry heart beats true
For the red and the blue
And we sing this song to you
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the red and the blue
Mace Arc SW
Il y a un sentiment de vol
Et ça ébranle mon cerveau
Quand je suis sur la musique d’un groupe militaire
Un titre comme "Yankee Doodle"
Ça me fait oublier ma nouille
C’est ce truc patriotique
Que personne ne peut comprendre
"Au sud, au pays du coton"
Mélodie inlassable
Ce n’est pas inspirant !
Hourra! Hourra! Nous nous joindrons au jubilé
Et ça c’est aller
Pour les Yankees, par chewing-gum !
Rouge, blanc et bleu
Je suis pour toi
Honnêtement, tu es un grand vieux drapeau
Tu es un grand vieux drapeau
Tu es un grand drapeau
Et pour toujours, en paix, fais-toi signe
Tu es l’emblème de
La terre que j’aime
La maison des libres et des braves
Tout coeur bat vrai
Sous le rouge, le blanc et le bleu
Où il n’y a jamais de vantardise
Mais faut-il oublier une vieille connaissance
Garde un œil sur le grand drapeau
Je suis une grincheuse
Je suis un honnête Yankee
Et je suis très fier de ce vieux drapeau
Qui vole pour l’Oncle Sam
Bien que je ne crois pas au délire
Il est temps que je le voie
Il y a un frisson dans mon dos
Ça me rend heureux d’être ce que je suis
Voici une terre avec un million de soldats
Si on en a besoin
Nous nous battrons pour la liberté !
Hourra! Hourra! Pour tout le goudron yankee
Et le vieux G.A.R.
Toutes les rayures, toutes les étoiles
Rouge, blanc et bleu
Coup de chapeau
Honnêtement, tu es un grand vieux drapeau
Tu es un grand vieux drapeau
Tu es un grand drapeau
Et pour toujours, en paix, fais-toi signe
Tu es l’emblème de
La terre que j’aime
La maison des libres et des braves
Tout coeur bat vrai
Sous le rouge, le blanc et le bleu
Où il n’y a jamais de vantardise
Mais faut-il oublier une vieille connaissance
Garde un œil sur le grand drapeau
Nøkken
There is something so charming about early recordings of music.
Musical72
i agree
Mathew Brigman
@Justin Addison I agree, they just seem more happy, and like they’re genuinely enjoying themselves
Bob
@C Z True.
Justin Addison
There’s something simple, natural, and sincere about it, where today’s entertainment comes off as shallow and insecure.
Gavriel Green
I totally agree with you
Vikkktor Balatti
Loved singing this song in school. It really brings out the best in all of us. Stay Proud my fellow Americans!!!!!!!
Meh’taverse
Long live the revolution! 🇺🇳🇺🇳🇺🇳
Billy
Hello from Norway
T. J. Novak
I love Billy Murray’s voice! It’s so clear and jovial :)