Wake Up America!

This song was written in 1916, one year before America entered World War I. It is a strong pro-war song. The illustration on the cover is a great depiction of how the country must get ready for war. We see Uncle Sam putting ships, submarines and supplies out to sea. Canons are being prepared. The airplane was invented 8 years ago, and yet it is already conceived as a weapon of war. Soldiers are marching, commanders are on horseback. This song was meant as a rallying cry. Read the lyrics and you will see that the lyrics try to shame people for not supporting the war, and not remembering the sacrifices of our forefathers.

Don't Forget the Lyrics
Have we forgotten America__ The battles our fathers fought?
Are we ashamed of our history___In the peace that fighting brought?
Must we be laughed at America__while our swords turn weak with rust?
Is the blood of our fathers wasted__And how have we treated their trust?
Is Columbia the Gem of the Ocean?__Is Old Glory the pride of the Free?
Let's forget every selfish emotion,__United let's forever be!
Chorus
Wake up, America
If we are called to war,
Are we prepared to give our lives
For our swethearts and our wives?
Are our mothers and our homes worth fighting for?
Let us pray, God, for peace, but peace with honor,
But let's get ready to answer duty's call,
So when Old Glory stands unfurled, Let it mean to all the worldd, America is ready, that's all!
Do you remember George Washington, __That winter at Valley Forge?
Jackson and Custer and Farragut, __ And Perry at Fort George
McKinley and Lincoln were fighting men, and the heroes our country knew
Simply crowd through our hist'ry pages__Just think what they've done all for you!
Made Columbia the Gem of the Ocean, made Old Glory the pride of the free,
Shall we fail in our test of devotion?__Oh! what is our history to be?