It's a Long Way to Tipperary

Not to be confused withTipperary (song).

"It's a Long Way to Tipperary"(or"It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary") is an Englishmusic hallsong first performed in 1912 byJack Judge,and written by Judge and Harry Williams, thoughauthorshipof the song has long been disputed.

"It's a Long Way to Tipperary"
Sheet music cover
Song
Published	1912
Genre	Music Hall, patriotic song, marching anthem
Songwriter(s)	Jack Judgeand Harry Williams

Sheet music cover

Sculpture inTipperary Town,Ireland, commemorating the song

It was recorded in 1914 by IrishtenorJohn McCormack.It was used as amarching songamong soldiers in theFirst World Warand is remembered asa song of that war.Welcoming signs in the town ofTipperary,Ireland,humorously declare "You've come a long way" in reference to the song.

Authorship

Jack Judge's parents were Irish, and his grandparents came fromTipperary.Judge met Harry Williams (Henry James Williams, 23 September 1873 – 21 February 1924) inOldbury, Worcestershireat the Malt Shovelpublic house,where Williams's brother Ben was thelicensee.Williams was severelydisabled,having fallen down cellar steps as a child and badly broken both legs. He had developed a talent for writingverseand songs, and played the piano andmandolin,often in public. Judge and Williams began a long-term writing partnership that resulted in 32 music hall songs published byBert Feldman.Many of the songs were composed by Williams and Judge at Williams's home, The Plough Inn (later renamed The Tipperary Inn), inBalsall Common.Because Judge could not read or write music, Williams taught them to Judge by ear.

Judge was a popular semi-professional performer in music halls. In January 1912, he was performing at the Grand Theatre inStalybridge,and accepted a 5-shillingbet that he could compose and sing a new song by the next night. The following evening, 31 January, Judge performed "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" for the first time, and it immediately became a great success. The song was originally written and performed as a sentimentalballad,to be enjoyed by Irishexpatriatesliving inLondon.Judge sold therightsto the song to Bert Feldman in London, who agreed to publish it and other songs written by Judge with Williams.Feldman published the song as "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary" in October 1912, and promoted it as amarch.

Dispute

Feldman paid royalties to both Judge and Williams, but after Williams' death in 1924, Judge claimed sole credit for writing the song,saying that he had agreed to Williams being co-credited as recompense for a debt that Judge owed. However, Williams' family showed that thetuneand most of thelyricsto the song already existed in the form of amanuscript,"It's A Long Way to Connemara", co-written by Williams and Judge back in 1909, and Judge had used this, just changing some words, including changing "Connemara" to "Tipperary".

Judge said: "I was the sole composer of 'Tipperary', and all other songs published in our names jointly. They were all 95% my work, as Mr Williams made only slight alterations to the work he wrote down from my singing the compositions. He would write it down on music-lined paper and play it back, then I'd work on the music a little more... I have sworn affidavits in my possession by Bert Feldman, the late Harry Williams and myself confirming that I am the composer...". In a 1933 interview, he added: "The words and music of the song were written in the Newmarket Tavern, Corporation Street, Stalybridge on 31st January 1912, during my engagement at the Grand Theatre after a bet had been made that a song could not be written and sung the next evening... Harry was very good to me and used to assist me financially, and I made a promise to him that if I ever wrote a song and published it, I would put his name on the copies and share the proceeds with him. Not only did I generously fulfil that promise, but I placed his name with mine on many more of my own published contributions. During Mr Williams' lifetime (as far as I know) he never claimed to be the writer of the song...".

Williams's family campaigned in 2012 to have Harry Williams officially re-credited with the song, and shared their archives with theImperial War Museums.The family estate still receives royalties from the song.

Other claims

In 1917, Alice Smyth Burton Jaysuedsong publishersChappell & Co.for $100,000, alleging she wrote the tune in 1908 for a song played at theAlaska–Yukon–Pacific Expositionpromoting the Washington apple industry. The chorus began "I'm on my way toYakima".The court appointedVictor Herbertto act as expert advisorand dismissed the suit in 1920, since the authors of "Tipperary" had never been toSeattleand Victor Herbert testified the two songs were not similar enough to suggestplagiarism.

Content

The song was originally written as alamentfrom an Irish worker in London, missing his homeland.Unlike popular songs of previous wars (such as theBoer Wars), it did not incite soldiers to glorious deeds, instead concentrating on the longing for home (as with the period song "Keep the Home Fires Burning").

Lyrics

Up to mighty London
Came an Irishman one day.
As thestreets are paved with gold
Sure, everyone was gay,
Singing songs ofPiccadilly,
StrandandLeicester Square,
Till Paddy got excited,
Then he shouted to them there:

Chorus
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!
Goodbye, Piccadilly,
Farewell, Leicester Square!
It's a long long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.

Paddy wrote a letter
To his Irish Molly-O,
Saying, "Should you not receive it,
Write and let me know! "
"If I make mistakes in spelling,
Molly, dear, "said he,
"Remember, it's the pen that's bad,
Don't lay the blame onme!"

Molly wrote a neat reply
To Irish Paddy-O,
Saying "Mike Maloney
Wants to marry me, and so
Leave the Strand and Piccadilly
Or you'll be to blame,
For love has fairly drove me silly:
Hoping you're the same! "

The parody "It's the Wrong, Wrong Way to Tickle Mary" was published (as sheet music) by J. Will Callahan and Charles Brown in the United States in 1915. Thebawdylyrics suggest the performances ofconcert partieson the front lines of the war:

Chorus
That's the wrong way to tickle Mary,
That's the wrong way to kiss.
Don't you know that over here, lad
They like it best like this.
Hoo-raypour lesfrançais,
FarewellAngleterre.
We didn't know how to tickle Mary,
But we learnt how over there.

Reception

Feldman persuadedFlorrie Fordeto perform the song in 1913, but she disliked it and dropped it from her act.However, it became the hit song of 1913 and was widely popular when theFirst World Warbegan the following year. British soldiers marching toMonssang it.Daily Mailcorrespondent George Curnock saw the Irish regiment theConnaught Rangerssinging this song as they marched throughBoulogneon 13 August 1914, and reported it on 18 August 1914.Soon, every British newspaper had printed the lyrics to the chorus and it became a popular and patriotic tune amongst civilians. However, as soldiers lost their optimism for a quick end to the war they came to abhor the sentimental song and jeered down attempts to start it.F. T. Nettleingham, a veteran and anthologist of songs from the war, noted that the song was "never Tommy's song... never greatly sung" though it was often the subject of parody.That civilians continued to hold it to be the soldiers' anthem illustrated a gap in understanding and alienated the fighting men.

In November 1914, it was recorded by Irish tenorJohn McCormack,which helped its worldwide popularity.There was also a popular recording byMark Sheridan.In the United States, there were popular versions byBilly Murray,theAmerican Quartet,Prince's Orchestra,and Albert Farrington.

The media of the time reported that the song was popular among soldiers despite (or because of) its irreverent and non-military theme, and was contrasted with the military and patriotic songs favoured by enemy troops. Commentators considered that the song's appeal revealed characteristically British qualities of being cheerful in the face of hardship.The Timessuggested that "'Tipperary' may be less dignified, but it, and whatever else our soldiers may choose to sing will be dignified by their bravery, their gay patience, and their long suffering kindness... We would rather have their deeds than all the German songs in the world."

Later performances

The song was featured as one of the songs in the 1951 filmOn Moonlight Bay,the 1960sstage musicaland filmOh! What a Lovely War,and the 1970 musicalDarling Lili,sung byJulie Andrews.It was also sung by theprisoners of warinJean Renoir's filmLa Grande Illusion(1937) and as background music inThe Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming(1966). It is also the second part (the other two being "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire"and"Mademoiselle from Armentières") of the regimental march ofPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.Mystery Science Theater 3000used it twice, sung byCrow T. RobotinMystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie(1996), then sung again for the final television episode. It is also sung by British soldiers in the filmThe Travelling Players(1975) directed byTheo Angelopoulos,and byCzechoslovaksoldiers in the movieČerní baroni(1992).

It is also featured inFor Me and My Gal(1942) starringJudy GarlandandGene KellyandGallipoli(1981) starringMel Gibson.It was sung by the crew ofU-96inWolfgang Petersen's 1981 filmDas Boot(the arrangement was performed by theRed Army Choir). Morale is boosted in the submarine when the German crew sings the song as they begin patrolling in the North Atlantic Ocean. The crew sings it a second time as they cruise toward home port after near-disaster.

The cast ofThe Mary Tyler Moore Showmarch off screen singing the song at the conclusion of the series'final episode,after news anchorTed Baxter(played byTed Knight) inexplicably recited some of the lyrics on that evening's news broadcast.

The song is often cited when documentary footage of the First World War is presented. One example of its use is in the annual television specialIt's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown(1966).Snoopy—who fancies himself a First World Warflying ace—dances to amedleyof First World War-era songs played bySchroeder.The song is included, and at that point Snoopy falls into a left-right-left marching pace. Schroeder also plays the song inSnoopy Come Home(1972) at Snoopy's send-off party. Also, Snoopy is seen singing the song out loud in a series of strips about his going to the1968 Winter Olympics.In another strip, Snoopy is walking such a long distance to reach Tipperary that he lies down exhausted and notes, "They're right, it is a long way to Tipperary." On a different occasion, Snoopy walks along and begins to sing the song, only to meet a sign that reads, "Tipperary: One Block." In aSunday stripwherein Snoopy, in his World War I fantasy state, walks intoMarcie's home, thinking it a French café, and falls asleep after drinking all her root beer, she rousts him awake by loudly singing the song.

In 1916, survivors of the sinking ofHMSTipperaryin theBattle of Jutlandwere identified by their rescuers onHMSSparrowhawkbecause they were singing "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" in their lifeboat.

In 1942, as the Japanesehell shipLisbon Maruwas sinking, Royal Artillery POWs trapped in the vessel are reported to have sung the song.

Other versions and adaptations, Cultural references

The song was so popular that its title is referenced in English in this German propaganda poster for distribution inoccupied France.

• Around 1915,labouractivistJoe HillwroteIt's a Long Way Down to the Soup Lineusing the tune of It's a Long Way to Tipperary. The song first describes the plight of poor workers before the formation of a nationwide labour union consisting of all workers. Then, it describes the improved financial state of workers after ageneral strikeby the nationwide labour union. Lastly it describes the wealth of the workers and the demise of thecapitalistsafter a futurecommunist revolution.
• In 1916, theDaily Mirrorpublished the song in the languages of the Empire, including a version translated intoCornishbyHenry Jenner.
• ARhodesianversion of the song, called "It's a Long Way toMukumbura",became popular among Rhodesian soldiers during the country'sBush Warin the 1970s.
• TheUniversity of Missouriuses a version of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" as afight song,renamed "Every True Son".It is usually played as part of a medley, followed by a cheer and then "Fight, Tiger."
• TheUniversity of Oregonuses acontrafactof "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" as a fight song, renamed "Mighty Oregon".
• "It's a Long Way fromAmphioxus",a songparodywritten by Philip H. Pope, is sung by students and scientists as an affirmation ofevolution.Originally recorded by Sam Hinton,it is the official song of the Biological Sciences Division at theUniversity of Chicago.
• TheClub Atletico River Platesports club fromBuenos Aires,Argentinaused the music from the song to create its hymn.
• The song is referenced extensively in the 1917Billy Murraysong "The Further It Is From Tipperary, The Closer It Is To Berlin".
• The song is sung several times throughout the 2021The SimpsonsSeason 32episode"The Man from G.R.A.M.P.A.".
• SingerTiny Timrecorded acoverof the song twice, first in 1968 as a part of a medley with "There Will Always Be an England"and"Bless 'Em All",then in 1980 for hisChameleonalbum.
• The song is a recurring motif in the filmSix Minutes to Midnight,notably in the last scene, on the eve of WWII, when the German schoolgirls have been reunited with their beloved principal Rocholl (played byJudi Dench).
• The song is referenced in the 1977 finale episode (”The Last Show”) of the American sitcomThe Mary Tyler Moore Showin series 7, episode 24.
• TheBill Caddicksong "The writing of Tipperary / It's a Long Way to Tipperary" intersperses the story of Jack Judge's writing the song with a potted history of the run-up to the First World War, followed by the song itself. He sang it on his album "Sunny Memories" in 1977, and it was covered byJune Taboron her 1999 album "A Quiet Eye".
• An adapted version of the song was the first anthem of the Brazilian football club, Fluminense Football Club in 1915.
• "It's A Long Long Way to Tipperary" was featured in several scenes in the classic movieDas Boot.

See also

• Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square(novel)
• "Tipperary",another popular song, from 1907
• List of best-selling sheet music

External links

• It's a Long Way to Tipperary:Scores at theInternational Music Score Library Project
• Sheet Music for "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary",Chappell & Co., Ltd., 1912.
• Full lyrics and early recordings
• Kannada Version written by Kailasam
• Recording by Billy Murray and the American Quartet
• "It's a Long Way to Tipperary"atMusicBrainz(information and list of recordings)