Sterling Trio & Henry Burr 'There's A Service Flag Flying At Our House' World War I, 1918 WWI LYRICS

The Sterling Trio led by Henry Burr

"There's A Service Flag Flying At Our House"

Columbia A2493

January 10, 1918

Music is by Al W. Brown.

Lyrics are by Thomas P. Hoier and Bernie Grossman.

HERE ARE LYRICS TO THE PATRIOTIC SONG WE ARE HEARING:

See the people running. Hear the rum-tum-tumming.
Military music fills the air! Everyone is waving.
Hearts are palpitating. Flags are flying everywhere
of every allied nation from nearly all creation.

Their banners wave from every staff and dome,
but the one I love to see that means so much
to me is the flag that's flying at home.

There's a service flag flying at our house,
a blue star in a field of red and white.
Father is so proud of what his boy has done!

There's a tear in mother's smile and she
murmurs "my son." Perhaps he may return
with fame and glory, but if by chance we lose
him in the fight, there'll be a service flag flying
at our house and a new star in heaven that night.

There beside Old Glory, telling all our story,
'til the end that flag is going to fly. We are
proud to show it--want the world to know it.

We will do or we will die. There's a million
others, giving sons and brothers, and proudly
watch them as they march away, and although
their hearts may ache, although their hearts
may break, there's a million glad they can sing:
The vocal trio known as the Sterling Trio usually consisted of Henry Burr, Albert Campbell, and John H. Meyer.

The group performed regularly as part of the Eight Victor Artists concert troupe and made many recordings from 1916 to 1925.

The three singers were members of the Peerless Quartet, and it is possible that the three made their first Sterling Trio records because the fourth member of the Peerless (at that time it was baritone Arthur Collins) was unavailable at times.

The three voices blended beautifully, and for a decade Sterling Trio records sold well.

Representative titles include "Hawaiian Butterfly" (Victor 18272, 1917), "Where the Morning Glories Grow" (with Elizabeth Spencer, Victor 18403, 1918), and "That Tumble-Down Shack in Athlone" (Columbia A2698, 1919).

The trio sings "Love's Old Sweet Song" during "A Miniature Concert" (Victor 35753), an experimental recording made on February 26, 1925, at the beginning of the electric era.

Billy Murray, who serves as master of ceremonies, introduces the trio to listeners as the "the Nickel-plated--oh, pardon me, the Sterling Trio."

For a few years the trio worked for nearly all companies but from late 1920 to late 1925 the singers were exclusive to Victor.

"Down Deep In An Irishman's Heart" (Victor 19749), the group's last recording with Burr still a member, was made on July 2, 1925.

A Sterling Trio recorded for Gennett in late 1925. Campbell and Meyer remained but Burr was replaced by either Charles Harrison or Henry Moeller.