In 1917 and 1918, the United States issued Liberty Bonds to pay for World War I, raising some $21.5 billion through patriotic appeals and rallies. Funds were still needed after the war ended. John Henry Lyons, a YMCA song leader at Camp Lewis, wrote an official song for a Victory Loan campaign, urging citizens to keep giving, with the words “We’ve a debt that we’ll ne’er regret, Pay up for Old Red, White and Blue”.
The sheet music was published by Smith-Digby Co. of Seattle, and distributed by the music and piano store Sherman Clay & Company. On the back cover is a small ad with a “V” for Victory, and the motto “Victory Songs for Victory ‘Sings.’” The composer, John Henry "Everybody Sing" Lyons (1885-1969) was born in Indiana, moved to Minnesota where he married Caro Josephine Rice (1885-1979). The couple resided in Tacoma from about 1915-1925, and then moved with their children to Pasadena, where John continued his career as a music director.
Caption information source: Sheet music for "Here at Home We're Backing You," by John Henry Lyons.
Physical Description: 1 score (4 p.) + 1 part ; 9 x 12 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
