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.
Little Johnny Jones Liberty: Give my regards to Broadway
George M. Cohan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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"
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
The lyrics of Little Johnny Jones Liberty's "Give my regards to Broadway" convey a sense of homesickness and longing for the familiar sights and sounds of New York City, expressed by the singer's request to convey his regards to various locations and people in the city. The opening lines vividly describe the emotional separation of two friends departing from a foreign shore, bound for home; the phrase "tear-dimmed eye" evokes a poignant sense of sadness, while the declaration of friendship "without a doubt" underscores the depth of feeling between the two.
The main refrain of the song, "Give my regards to Broadway, remember me to Herald Square," captures the singer's desire to be remembered by the city even while he is away. The reference to "the gang at Forty-Second Street" emphasizes the singer's connection to the vibrant social scene of New York, as does the mention of Coney Island and the Waldorf hotel.
The closing line of the song, "when you get back home," emphasizes the theme of reunification and return to familiar surroundings that runs throughout the lyrics. This emphasis honors the singer's bonds with his home city and the connection he feels to its streets and inhabitants.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see two Yankees part Upon a foreign shore
Have you ever witnessed two Americans saying goodbye on foreign land?
When the good ship's just about to start For old New York once more?
When the ship is about to leave for home to New York City?
With tear-dimmed eye they say goodbye, They're friends without a doubt
They bid their farewells with tears in their eyes, but with a strong friendship
When the man on the pier Shouts, 'Let them clear' As the ship strikes out
As the ship takes off, the man on the pier shouts for all to clear the way
Give my regards to Broadway Remember me to Herald Square
Please give my greetings to Broadway and tell them to remember me in Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street That I will soon be there
Let everyone at 42nd Street know that I will be arriving soon
Whisper of how I'm yearning To mingle with the old time throng
Tell them secretly about my longing to be a part of the old-time crowd
Give my regards to old Broadway And say that I'll be there e'er long
Say hello to old Broadway for me and let them know that I'll be there very soon
Say hello to dear old Coney Isle If there you chance to be
If you happen to be at Coney Island, please say hello for me
When you're at the Waldorf have a smile And charge it up to me
When you're at the Waldorf, please smile and put it on my tab
Mention my name ev'ry place you go As 'round the town you roam
Spread my name wherever you go as you travel around the city
Wish you'd call on my gal Now remember, old pal When you get back home
I hope you'll visit my girlfriend and remember, my friend, to do so when you return home
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY MANILOW, BRUCE H. SUSSMAN, GEORGE M. COHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind