The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Sheet music for the song titled, 'Mother Machree' with lyrics written by Rida Johnson Young and music composed by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest R. Ball. The front cover advises that the song has previously been performed by John McCormack. This copy is number 2 of 4 and has been published in the key of C by Allan & Co, Melbourne. It was sold for 2/-.
The lyrics of this song discuss the fond memories that the writer has of Mother Machree and her love. Included in this copy are the first pages of songs titled, 'Babe o' mine' and 'The magic of your eyes'. These were intended as advertisements for purchasing the complete version of these songs.
In 1944, the Adelaide newspaper News, reported that the song recieved no interest until it was performed by the Irish tenor, John McCormack, who 'quickly sent it soaring to the top of song successes'. The same article also mentions that the song was written by Ball specially for Chauncey Olcott.
Ernest Ball was an American composer who also performed his own songs on vaudeville and became known for Irish ballads. He collaborated with several lyricists including Chauncey Olcott, George Graff and Rida Young. Some of the other works which these collaborations brought included 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling', written in 1912 and 'Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold'.
Chauncey Olcott was also an American singer and Broadway star whose life was portrayed in the 1947 movie 'My Wild Irish Rose'.
Rida Johnson Young was an American playwright, songwriter and librettist or the writer of text in operas. She wrote over thirty plays and musicals as well as over 500 songs.
Towards the bottom of this page is a sound recording of this sheet music, or a parody, that was created as part of the Music and the First World War project. More information about this recording, including names of the performers, can be found on the catalogue record for the sound recording. A link to the catalogue record for the sound recording can be found at the bottom of this page, under the heading ‘Related objects’ where it can be identified with the prefix [sound recording].
Souvenir program for a concert held to entertain troops during the First World War. This program is for a concert held to commemorate crossing the line by HMT Demosthenes on 1 December 1917. The progr
Souvenir program for a concert held to entertain troops during the First World War. This program is for a concert given aboard HMAHS Kanowna on 17 July 1915 to commemorate the departure of No 2 Austra
Souvenir program for a concert held to entertain troops during the First World War. This program provides details of a performance by HMS 'Ben-My-Chree's' Concert Party aboard HMS Ben-My-Chree's at Po
Souvenir concert program produced during the First World War. This program is for a concert organised by prisoners at Gustrow camp in Germany on 8 September 1918. The concert was put on by the Second
Postcard titled Mother Machree (1), from the postcard collection of Harry Rose, who served with B Company, 62 Battalion, 6 Division during the First World War. Front depicts a soldier looking at a p
Postcard titled Mother Machree (2), from the postcard collection of Harry Rose, who served with B Company, 62 Battalion, 6 Division during the First World War. Front depicts a soldier looking at a p
Postcard titled Mother Machree (3), from the postcard collection of Harry Rose, who served with B Company, 62 Battalion, 6 Division during the First World War. Front depicts a soldier thinking of his
Recording of the song titled 'Mother Machree', created as part of the Music and the First World War project. Composed by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest R Ball with lyrics written by Rida Johnston Young. P
File of papers relating to the First World War service of Major General John Monash, 3rd Australian Division. This file, originally part of Book 14, covers 1 December 1916 to 10 February 1917 and incl
Sheet music for the song titled 'When Johnny comes marching home', written by Patrick Gilmore. This version has been published in the anthology 'Soldier Songs', arranged by Edgar Moy. The song was ori
Sheet music for the song titled 'Break the News to Mother', a song that was written and composed by Charles Kassell Harris. The cover of this copy features a colour lithograph of a wounded soldier bei
Sheet music for the song titled 'Only one of the toys', with lyrics written by Mark Erikson and music composed by P Clay-Beale. This version of the music has been arranged by Professor Ireland. The so
Sheet music for the song titled, 'Thora'. Lyrics written by Frederic Weatherly and music composed by Stephen Adams. This song was written in 1905 and published by the music publishers Boosey & Co, Lon
Sheet music for the song titled 'The Blue Dragoons', with lyrics written by Frederic Edward Weatherly and music composed by Kennedy Russell. This song was written in 1911, with this copy of the sheet
Sheet music for the song titled 'Sunshine of your smile', with lyrics written by Leonard Cooke and music composed by Lilian Ray. This song was first published in 1913. Towards the bottom of this p
