Cohan began his career as a child, performing with his parents and sister in a vaudeville act known as "The Four Cohans." Beginning with Little Johnny Jones in 1904, he wrote, composed, produced, and appeared in more than three dozen Broadway musicals. Cohan published more than 300 songs during his lifetime, including the standards "Over There", "Give My Regards to Broadway", "The Yankee Doodle Boy" and "You're a Grand Old Flag". As a composer, he was one of the early members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). He displayed remarkable theatrical longevity, appearing in films until the 1930s, and continuing to perform as a headline artist until 1940.
Known in the decade before World War I as "the man who owned Broadway", he is considered the father of American musical comedy. His life and music were depicted in the Academy Award-winning film Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and the 1968 musical George M!. A statue of Cohan in Times Square in New York City commemorates his contributions to American musical theatre.
Give My Regards to Broadway
George M. Cohan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the good ship's just about to start for Old New York once more?
With tear dimmed eye, they say goodbye
They're friends, without a doubt;
When the man on the pier shouts, "Let them clear!"
As the ship strikes out.
Give my regards to Broadway!
Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street
That I will soon be there!
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng!
Give my regards to Old Broadway
And say that I'll be there, 'ere long!
Give my regards to Broadway!
Remember me to Herald Square!
Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street
That I will soon be there!
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng!
Give my regards to Old Broadway
And say that I'll be there, 'ere long!
The lyrics of George M. Cohan’s song “Give My Regards to Broadway” tell the story of two Yankees who part ways on a foreign shore as they say goodbye for what appears to be the last time. They are emotional and tearful, as they board a ship that is about to depart for Old New York. When the pier attendant shouts, “Let them clear!” and the ship starts to leave, they both call out to each other to remember them to Herald Square, 42nd Street and Old Broadway. The lyricist beautifully captures the deep sense of yearning and nostalgia in the hearts of those who have left Broadway for a time and long to return.
The song has become an iconic tribute to the legendary Broadway theatre district in New York City. The upbeat tempo and catchy tune make it a favorite of musical theatre audiences, while the lyrics evoke feelings of nostalgia and homesickness. As one of the most frequently performed musical numbers on Broadway, “Give My Regards to Broadway” has a rich history that spans over one hundred years.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see two Yankees part upon a foreign shore?
Have you ever witnessed two Americans saying goodbye to each other on a foreign land when the ship is about to depart for New York?
When the good ship's just about to start for Old New York once more?
When the ship is ready to go back to New York?
With tear dimmed eye, they say goodbye
They bid farewell with teary eyes
They're friends, without a doubt;
They are friends without any doubt
When the man on the pier shouts, "Let them clear!"
When the person on the pier yells, "Clear the way!"
As the ship strikes out.
As the ship begins to sail away
Give my regards to Broadway!
Send my greetings to Broadway!
Remember me to Herald Square!
Say hello to Herald Square on my behalf!
Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street
Inform everyone at 42nd Street
That I will soon be there!
That I will arrive soon!
Whisper of how I'm yearning
Tell them how much I long
To mingle with the old time throng!
To join the old crowd
Give my regards to Old Broadway
Send my regards to the older days of Broadway
And say that I'll be there, 'ere long!
And tell them that I'll be there very soon!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@torresdejorgechristianarma5994
Did you ever see two Yankees part
Upon a foreign shore
When the good ship's just about to start
For old New York once more?
With tear-dimmed eye they say goodbye
They're friends without a doubt
When the man on the pier
Shouts, "Let them clear"
As the ship strikes out
Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long
Say hello to dear old Coney Isle
If there you chance to be
When you're at the Waldorf have a smile
And charge it up to me
Mention my name ev'ry place you go
As 'round the town you roam
Wish you'd call on my gal
Now remember, old pal
When you get back home
Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long
@fredrickii4732
Did you ever see two Yankees part
Upon a foreign shore
When the good ship's just about to start
For old New York once more?
With tear-dimmed eye they say goodbye
They're friends without a doubt
When the man on the pier
Shouts, "Let them clear"
As the ship strikes out
Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long
Say hello to dear old Coney Isle
If there you chance to be
When you're at the Waldorf have a smile
And charge it up to me
Mention my name ev'ry place you go
As 'round the town you roam
Wish you'd call on my gal
Now remember, old pal
When you get back home
Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long
@TeachESL
My husband woke me from a dream in which I was singing this song at the top of my voice in a crowded street!
@sjsabattis
what
@american_bacon1040
Divorce him
@Billy219
I can sing this song in the style of Billy Murray,but I not sing it on Youtube.
@lesaboo4740
Someone is trying to reach me with this song. I'm not an expert at speaking to the dead but music connections have occurred in my life. This song wouldn't get out of my head all day!!
@lifeissweet9826
@@lesaboo4740 same here.
@drystaklumpp3925
He had such a cool voice, I love it!
@luvbach1
You can't get more American than George M. Cohan!! What a great American! Thank goodness we had this man.
@janegrey2346
Richard Hecht My all time favorite American composer . You have to respect his talent ratter you like him or not.....me, I love him
@WildwoodClaire1
No offense, but you REALLy shouldn't base your judgements of George M. Cohan on an almost entirely fictionalized movie starring James Cagney. Cohan was an unspeakable, loathsome prick NO ONE should suggest as a model American. Great artist, monstrous human being.