Tune of the Day: It's a Long Way to Tipperary
This British music hall and marching song was written in 1912 by Jack Judge and co-credited to, but not co-written by Henry James “Harry” Williams. According to Max Crier's book Love Me Tender, Jack Judge had two ways of earning a living. By day he ran a stall in a fish market, and by night he sang in the music halls. He had a boyhood friend called Harry Williams, who now kept a country tavern in Oldbury, near Birmingham, from where they both came. Judge sometimes found the going hard, financially, and Williams was always ready to help. Jack Judge had something of a knack for composing, and he promised his friend that if ever he wrote a best-selling song, he would put Harry Williams' name on it. When in 1912 Judge had the idea for “It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary”, he kept his promise to his friend by adding “music by Harry Williams” to the copyright.
The song became very popular during World War I, and it is typical in that it is not a war-like song, which incites the soldiers to glorious deeds. Popular songs in previous wars frequently did this, but in World War I the most popular songs rather concentrated on the longing for home.
Thanks to Anyesha for suggesting this piece!