Keep The Flag A-Flying

Album: not released (1914)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to the Jeffrey Richards book Imperialism and music: BRITAIN 1876-1953, "The original version of Ivor Novello's hit had been titled, with overt patriotism, 'Keep the Flag A-flying,' but this was abandoned in favor of the more domestic and intimate 'Keep the Home Fires Burning.'"

    This is in fact not true, "Keep The Flag A-Flying" was an entirely different song, and it was written not by Ivor Novello, but by his mother! According to W. Macqueen-Pope's biography Ivor, the outbreak of war in 1914 generated an intense outburst of patriotism in Britain, so much so that young men literally flocked to enlist; patriotic songs were all the rage, and Madam Clara Novello Davies - a famous music teacher and choir leader - begged her pride and joy to write one. He was disdainful as they were literally being churned out by the dozen, so she wrote one of her own to show him how it should, or perhaps should not, be done. After she had performed "Keep The Flag A' Flying" to him, he relented, probably thinking he couldn't do any worse. Her awful song - which thankfully appears not to have survived - resulted in him composing the greatest patriotic song of World War One, "Keep The Home Fires Burning." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.