2/4/2009:
In 1912, Englishman Jack Judge became famous when his song, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” flew from the Grand Theatre in Stalybridge, Cheshire, England, where he performed it, to the trenches of the first world war. It was adopted by the soldiers of Great Britain as their battle song and was heard across the war torn fields, becoming familiar to the French, the Belgians, the Americans and even, it was said, to the Germans and Russians.
Supposedly, the song came about because of a five shilling bet someone made with Jack Judge, in which he had to make up and perform a song within 24 hours. He won the bet, of course, and as the song became popular, he also credited his friend, Harry Williams, an American, for helping write it.
Not much is known about Harry Williams, but we do know he had ties to this very state, for on this date in 1915 the Ward County Independent reported: “The whole world is wild about the catchy tune and—a Morton County, North Dakota, man wrote it.”
As it turned out, Harry Williams was nephew to Charles Harris, a farmer near Stanton, who told the paper that Harry had lived in North Dakota for some time; he had moved to Mercer County with his mother, and then worked a while in Mandan and New Salem. Around 1910, he departed to go east.
Harry’s friends added to the report that Harry had been known for his music; he had always been humming something new. But no one suspected he would write a song.
And, truth be told, he may not have. According to some stories, his name was put on the music through an effort by Jack to pay back Harry for supporting him, and for loaning him money when he needed it.
Nevertheless, in whatever way he helped, Harry Williams got his credit, and received royalties. The song lived on, and the famous refrain is still being sung, quoted and parodied, even today:
“It’s a long way to Tipperary,
It’s a long way to go:
It’s a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know.
Good bye old Picadilly,
Farewell Leicester square;
It’s a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heart’s right there.”
One thing is for sure; for Harry Williams, it was also a long way to North Dakota. But then again, maybe his heart was still here.
By Sarah Walker
Sources:
Ward County Independent, Thursday, Feb. 4, 1915, p.1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Judge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Long,_Long_Way_to_Tipperary
http://www.stalybridge.org.uk/jack_judge.htm
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/white_christmas.htm