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.
Over There
George M. Cohan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run
On the run, on the run
Hear them calling, you and me
Every son of liberty
Hurry right away
No delay, go today
To have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum-tumming
Everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there
Johnnie, get your gun
Get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die
Pack your little kit
Show your grit, do your bit
Yankee to the ranks
From the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old Red, White and Blue
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum-tumming
Everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there
The lyrics to George M. Cohan’s song Over There were written as a call to arms to the American people to join the fight in World War I. The song is directed towards young men, specifically Johnny, referring to them as sons of liberty, urging them to take up arms and join the fight. The song implores Johnny to not delay, but to hurry and join the ranks of the American soldiers.
The chorus of “Over There” highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for American involvement. The lyrics exclaim that “the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming,” and that they won’t return until the war is over. The drums rumbling signify a sense of energy and excitement, but also the danger and seriousness of the situation.
The second verse references the German enemy as “the Hun” and encourages Johnny to demonstrate his courage in battle. The lyrics read, “Johnnie show the Hun who's a son of a gun, hoist the flag and let her fly, Yankee Doodle do or die.” The song portrays the fight as a patriotic duty that will make Johnny’s family and country proud.
Overall, the song is a powerful example of American wartime propaganda, glorifying war as a means of demonstrating courage and patriotism. It played a significant role in rallying support for the war and encouraging young men to enlist in the military.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnnie, get your gun
Johnnie, prepare yourself for the battlefield
Get your gun, get your gun
Bring your firearm, arm yourself
Take it on the run
Move quickly and efficiently
On the run, on the run
In motion, in a hurry
Hear them calling, you and me
The call to arms is urgent and affects us all
Every son of liberty
All who value freedom must unite
Hurry right away
Don't waste time, leave immediately
No delay, go today
Don't put off joining the fight, leave now
Make your daddy glad
Bring happiness and pride to your family
To have had such a lad
To have raised such a brave and capable young man
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
Assure your loved ones that you will return
To be proud her boy's in line
To take pride in the fact that her loved one is doing his duty
Over there, over there
To the battlefront, to the warzone
Send the word, send the word over there
Spread the message that the Americans are coming to join the fight
That the Yanks are coming
The Americans are arriving
The Yanks are coming
The Americans are coming
The drums rum-tumming
The sound of war drums is getting closer
Everywhere
In all directions, everywhere you turn
So prepare, say a prayer
Get ready for battle, and pray for strength and protection
Send the word, send the word to beware
Warn the enemy to be ready for the American soldiers
We'll be over, we're coming over
We're on our way, and we won't back down
And we won't come back till it's over
We'll stay until the war is won and our mission is accomplished
Over there
To the battlefield, to fight for freedom
Johnnie show the Hun
Johnnie, demonstrate to the enemy, the Germans, your fighting capability
Who's a son of a gun
Who is a skilled and competent soldier
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Raise the American flag high, let it be seen as a symbol of our resolve
Yankee Doodle do or die
Fight fiercely, don't stop until the mission is accomplished
Pack your little kit
Prepare your gear and supplies for the campaign
Show your grit, do your bit
Demonstrate your courage and determination, do your part in the war effort
Yankee to the ranks
American soldiers joining the battlefront
From the towns and the tanks
From cities and rural areas, from various military units
Make your mother proud of you
Bring honor to your family by fighting bravely
And the old Red, White and Blue
And for the sake of the United States of America
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George M. Cohan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aydenmcfadden4393
Johnnie, get your gun
Get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run
On the run, on the run
Hear them calling, you and me
Every son of liberty
Hurry right away
No delay, go today
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum tumming everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over, over there
Johnnie, get your gun
Get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die
Pack your little kit
Show your grit, do your bit
Yankee to the ranks
From the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old red, white and blue
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum tumming everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over, over there.
@happyfriend6734
This is part of my Us history homework.
@sarasofia5095
I a Colombian girl doing the history homework of an American one, that's funny
@brooket26
Same
@jesselancaster7
👍🏻
@CrossOfBayonne
World War I led directly to World War II and the Holocaust because of Germany's resentment due to Allied leaders punishing them at Paris had they been more fair another conflict would've been prevented.
@cookies_n_clovers1189
Lol same
@josephrubin5821
I'm ashamed to say this, but I'm 35 years old now. And I just now recently watched Yankee Doodle Dandy for the first time. It is SUCH a good movie!! And to watch it all with the thought that ww2 was brewing up to its climax just then... the timing is just as perfect as can be for this movies release. I literally fell in love with that movie
@verahoward2341
George M.Cohan and James Cagney were a big part of my life growing up. My family was Military and very patriotic.
@TwitubeWTF
I'm planning going back to New York in 2022. I'm being very patriotic for my first home. 🇺🇸
@psfgtech
Great film my mother made me watch when I was kid