SECTION 3
1918 Correspondence
1918 LETTER #24:
LETTER SUMMARY:
In this letter Bootus described his interest & interaction with MUSIC at Syracuse University. He then enclosed SONG LYRICS that he wrote about the War and the Yankee Division. The song lyrics are filled with interesting Wartime allusions. The entire letter is quoted below in its entirety.
Besides the song, there are a few other excellent quotations in this letter including:
-- "THE GAS HAS SPOILED MY MELODIOUS VOICE I'm afraid."
-- "So I WROTE A PARODY TO THE TUNE OF "DIXIE"
-- "Its the NIGHT BEFORE XMAS and I would put my stocking up (I haven't had it off for weeks) if I only thought I would have my discharge in it."
-- "Tomorrow PRESIDENT WILSON VISITS OUR DIVISION and eats (Turkey?) With the "Croix de Guerre" Regiment the 104th Infantry . . . I hope they don't give him what we have been eating for over a year (MONKEY MEAT)."
FULL TRANSCRIPTION OF LETTER:
Two 3-page typed copies of a letter (original letter is missing) and a 6-page handwritten copy of a portion of the same missing original letter in pencil.
Esnouveaux, France
Co. D, 101 U.S. Engineers
Dec. 24, 1918
Dear Doris:
I have just received you Xmas greeting in the form of a book and was sure pleased to hear from you.
You seem to have the right dope on the finish of this massacre. I'll try and keep my brain filled with the real news of Over Here and we'll have a regular old ladies gossiping party when I get back.
I see you have turned to writing songs and it sure was a good one. Of course I couldn't tell much about it when I sang it for the GAS HAS SPOILED MY MELODIOUS VOICE I'm afraid.
Since we have been staying here I HAVE WRITTEN A COUPLE OF PARODIES IN REGARD TO THE DIVISION which got by fine. I always was crazy over music and in fact while AT SYRACUSE I HAD A QUARTET which was so good, Hammerstein wanted them. Two of them later sang for the Columbia Records and they send me a lot of late music every once in awhile.
While we are here waiting and crying to go home nobody seems to know or say anything as to what will happen to us. So I WROTE A PARODY TO THE TUNE OF "DIXIE". I'll write it for you and let you criticize.
"HOME OR NOT"
Hello there! Yes this is G.H.Q. (well,well, well)
We have got something to say to you
Don't be surprised, you've not forgot,
The old D the best bet of the lot.
You're in a place where they give commands
We ask you now to meet our demands.
You'll surly listen or we'll be missing
This is what we want.
The good old Y.D. The fighting Y.D.
Sure has done her bit for Democracy
We're through all shocking, its time we were docking
On those shores of Liberty
We do not care to hang around and get the Kaiser's Goat
All you've got to do is put us on a boat
Will G.H.Q. please speak.
2nd Verse
Hello there are you (a) listening yet?
Is our Goat you are trying get?
Why this delay, the Boche won't play?
So we see nothing that demands our stay;
One word from you will (a) head us home
A happy tribe on the Ocean foam
Our record rates it. On that we'll stake it
It's surly up to you.
(Chorus)
The good old Y.D. The fighting Y.D.
Sure has done her bit for Democracy
We're through all shocking, its time we were docking
On those shores of Liberty
Its time we shook the mud of France, and beat for the Sea
Never mind our furloughs just you set us free
Bound for the Homeland our sunny Homeland
Will G.H.Q. please speak.
Don't throw anything will you and I'll give you another short one that
Is written to the Chorus of "I Must Hurry Back".
(Chorus)
When our Country Called, to help our France, Someone had to be there.
'Twas the old Y.D. who was the first to Do or Dare
This very act should be considered.
In our return, to the States we gave all
So, let us hurry back, just as fast as we jumped to your call.
I could add a few original poems but you have suffered enough. Those give you an idea of how we feel in regard to staying here in France and let us hope by the time they reach you we will be on our way home.
Its the NIGHT BEFORE XMAS and I would put my stocking up (I haven't had it off for weeks) if I only thought I would have my discharge in it.
Tomorrow PRESIDENT WILSON VISITS OUR DIVISION and eats (Turkey?) With the "Croix de Guerre" Regiment the 104th Infantry, and the only American Regiment that has ever had its Colors decorated by a foreign Gov't.
I hope they don't give him what we have been eating for over a year (MONKEY MEAT).
Will close now and for the next twenty four hours I'll try to imagine myself in the U.S.A.
With love
Bootus.
P.S. Haven't heard from Lester since the first of November.
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