Yankee Doodle Dandy

A musical portrait of composer/singer/dancer George M. Cohan. From his early days as a child-star in his family's vaudeville show up to the time of his comeback at which he received a medal from the president for his special contributions to the US, this is the life- story of George M. Cohan, who produced, directed, wrote and starred in his own musical shows for which he composed his famous songs. Written by Leon Wolters {wolters@strw.LeidenUniv.nl}

Born on the Fourth of July?
George M. Cohan at the age of 10, with the violin he so disliked.

George Michael Cohan became the stuff theatrical legends are made of, so it shouldn't be surprising that he instigated a few of those legends, including one surrounding his birth date.

Cohan's baptismal certificate -- which is his only written birth record -- verifies that he was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 3rd, 1878. However, Cohan's family unfailingly insisted that George and his country shared birthdays on the 4th.

Vintage Audio: Over There
Updated - Saturday, 2 August, 2003

Reproduced below are the lyrics to America's best-known World War One song, Over There. Written by George M. Cohan the song was widely performed by various artists (initially by Charles King) from its publication in 1917.

Cohan later recalled that the words and music to the song came to him while travelling by train from New Rochelle to New York shortly after the U.S. had declared war against Germany in April 1917.

Just as It's a Long Way to Tipperary was a smash-hit success during the early days of the war in Europe, so Over There proved a nationwide hit in the months immediately following America's enthusiastic entry into the war.

Cohan himself was formally recognised by Congress with the award of the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor - albeit in 1940.

Three versions of the song are available here: the first by Billy Murray recorded in 1917 (MP3 format 628kb) - click here; the second by Nora Bayes, similarly recorded in 1917 - click here; and a version recorded by the renowned tenor Enrico Caruso in 1918 (MP3 format 421kb).