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This concert was performed LIVE from the Main Gallery of the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation on Saturday evening, August 15, 2020.

Stirring and poignant, the popular songs of “The Great War” help us understand what the average person, here and abroad, was thinking and experiencing during a worldwide upheaval. New technology and inventions improved daily life but brought death on the battlefield on an unprecedented scale.

Many World War I songs are patriotic and upbeat, but others lament the futility and waste of trench warfare, or poke cynical fun at those in charge. After three years of striving to remain neutral, the U.S. plunged into war in 1917, and songwriters literally changed their tune overnight. “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier” became “It’s Time for Every Boy to Be a Soldier.” As in all wars, cheery songs lifted spirits despite hard reality, while others expressed longing for safety and home.

Diane wears the graceful clothing of the time and accompanies her crystal-clear singing on a parlor guitar. Enjoy, and sing along, to:

“Til We Meet Again”

“It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” (and a sly variation, “That’s the Wrong Way to Tickle Mary”)

Stay Down Here Where You Belong” (by Irving Berlin, set in hell!)

“Stille Nacht” (from the spontaneous Christmas truce of 1914)

“Over There!”

“Good Morning, Mr. Zip-Zip-Zip!” (slip a name of any nationality into the “Zip” and get a patriotic American)

“Pack Up Your Troubles”

“Forward, Joe Soap’s Army”

“You’d Better Be Nice to Them Now” (meaning the ladies, who were taking over every job imaginable)

“The Worst is Yet to Come”

“How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm?” (now that they’ve seen Paree?)

“Keep the Home Fires Burning”