Description
Author (Lyrics): Harold Robé
Composer: Lieut. Gitz Rice, First Canadian Contingent
Publisher: G. Ricordi & Co., Inc.
Place of Publication: New York
Date: 1918 (copyright)
Format: Original sheet music, pictorial cover
Pages: 6
Condition: Very Good Plus
Condition Notes
A notably clean and attractive example. Light, even age toning consistent with WWI-era paper. No major tears, no tape, no repairs. Edges remain strong, interior music is crisp and fully legible. An excellent presentation copy for both collectors and display.
Description
This poignant World War I–era song, Dear Old Pal of Mine, stands as a moving example of early 20th-century wartime music, composed by Lieutenant Gitz Rice of the First Canadian Contingent. Written during the Great War, the song captures the sentimentality, longing, and camaraderie that defined music of the period.
This edition is particularly desirable for its pictorial cover naming celebrated tenor John McCormack, one of the most famous and beloved vocalists of his time. McCormack’s association elevates the piece from standard sheet music into celebrity-linked musical ephemera, appealing to collectors of vocal music, WWI memorabilia, and early 20th-century performance history.
Published by G. Ricordi & Co., this edition includes performance notation and was issued in multiple keys, underscoring its use by professional and semi-professional singers. Surviving copies in strong condition are increasingly uncommon, particularly those with clean covers suitable for framing.
A compelling crossover piece that sits at the intersection of music history, wartime culture, and celebrity performance.
Why We Love This Piece
This is not just a song—it’s a snapshot of the World War I home front, tied to a composer who served and a singer whose voice defined an era. The McCormack attribution transforms it into a historically resonant artifact with lasting appeal.