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.
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George M. Cohan Lyrics
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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"
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
"You're a Grand Old Flag" is a patriotic song written by George M. Cohan, a renowned American composer, and lyricist in 1906. The song expresses the pride that Americans had (and still have) for their country and the flag. The opening of the song describes the feeling that comes when listening to the music of a military band - a feeling that sets the brain a-reeling, fills the citizens with patriotic spirit, and love for their country. Cohan mentions a few tunes like "Yankee Doodle" that sets him off as well. The lyricist takes the listeners down to the South in cotton land and describes the inspiring melody that arises. The chorus of the song is catchy and inspires people, to take part in the celebration or at least join the jubilee.
The second verse talks about how the singer is a proud American who loves his country and flag, even though he does not believe in raving. He admires the soldiers who are always ready to fight for freedom and justice whenever needed. The song's climax comes when every heart beats true, and we all stand under the Red, White, and Blue. The lyrics to the song emphasize that Americans are always peace-loving, never boastful or arrogant about their country, but they cherish their heritage and flag.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a feeling comes a-stealing
There's a feeling of patriotism that overwhelms me
And it sets my brain a-reeling
It makes me giddy with excitement
When I'm list'ning to the music of a military band
When I hear the stirring strains of a military band
Any tune like "Yankee Doodle"
Any song that celebrates America
Simply sets me off my noodle
Fills me with joy and enthusiasm
It's that patriotic something
It's a feeling of love for one's country
That no one can understand
That is hard to explain to those who do not feel it
"Way down South in the land of cotton"
Refers to the Southern United States
Melody untiring
An uplifting tune
Ain't that inspiring!
Isn't it moving and motivational!
Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll join the jubilee
Expressing enthusiasm and joy for America
And that's going some
And that's no small feat!
For the Yankees, by gum!
For the people of the United States!
Red, white and blue
The colors of the flag of the United States
I am for you
I am loyal to my country
Honest, you're a grand old flag
Honestly, the American flag is impressive and awe-inspiring
You're a grand old flag
The American flag is majestic
You're a high-flying flag
The flag is flown high and proud
And forever in peace may you wave
May the flag always be flown in times of peace
You're the emblem of
You symbolize
The land I love
America, the country that I love
The home of the free and the brave
America is the home of the courageous and the independent
Ev'ry heart beats true
Every American loves their country
Under red, white and blue
Under the banner of the American flag
Where there's never a boast or brag
Americans are humble and modest
But should old acquaintance be forgot
But even if we forget old friendships
Keep your eye on the grand old flag
We must never forget our love for America
I'm a cranky hanky panky
I'm unique and eccentric
I'm a dead square honest Yankee
I'm a straightforward and truthful American
And I'm mighty proud of that old flag
I am very proud of the American flag
That flies for Uncle Sam
The flag that represents America
Though I don't believe in raving
Even though I don't like to brag
Ev'ry time I see it waving
Every time I see it flying
There's a chill runs up my back
It gives me goosebumps
That makes me glad I'm what I am
That makes me proud to be an American
Here's a land with a million soldiers
America has a large military
That's if we should need 'em
If we ever need them
We'll fight for freedom!
We'll fight for what we believe in!
Hurrah! Hurrah! For ev'ry Yankee tar
Cheers for every American sailor
And old G.A.R.
And for the Grand Army of the Republic
Ev'ry stripe, ev'ry star
Every element of the American flag
Hats off to you
We salute you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL J. FREDERICK, VALERIE PETERSON, GEORGE M COHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@araftofwanderingotters206
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!
@bigbandsrock1
Quite an honor to be the child of George M!!!! Nice job!!!! 🌹👏🏻
@frankhonest8799
Hello 👋 how are you doing?
@noname788
God bless america 🇺🇲🦅
@willp6422
I served. I love America!!!🇺🇲🇺🇲
@araftofwanderingotters206
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!
@jesselancaster7
GOD BLESS THE RED, WHITE & BLUE🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@NiceTryF8I
WHY ARE WE SCREAMING
@powerthirst1478
@@NiceTryF8I so you could hear it 9 months later
@davidyoung3218
Teaching my birds to sing this song...they're catching on quickly...I'll post on my channel once they get it down
@martinpatrick9915
Wow george had a talented kid...George m Cohan jr.