This song had been written for “Yip Yip Yaphank” in 1918 but had been dropped from the show and into Irving’s desk drawer. In 1938 Irving sensed that the “German question” might once again be litigated in the court of arms, so he pulled the song out of his drawer and began tinkering with the lyrics. Kate Smith, whose radio show had been running for seven years on CBS under the title “The Songbird of the South,” was looking for something new and patriotic, and she approached Irving. What timing! He had it ready for her in a jiffy, and it became America’s second national anthem after September 11, 2001.
But there was controversy from the Left. Woody Guthrie thought the song unrealistic and complacent, writing “This Land is Your Land” as his answer.
This was to become Kate’s signature song, and it was played in lieu of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Philadelphia Flyers hockey games because it brought the team good luck. Kate even sang it live during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Irving chose not to accept a penny of royalties from it. He licensed the song to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls, and it was they who profited from it. His other patriotic songs of the era were licensed to the Navy Relief, Red Cross, March of Dimes and various war bond drives.
This is the song’s premiere, taken from a radio broadcast on November 10, 1938, done for the twentieth anniversary of the end of World War I. Note that she sings the intro, which has been adjusted for the time. Also note that this is not a march; the time signature is 2/2. What is amazing is that she hits the high D at the end without effort!
This clip is from 1943's “This is the Army.” This is Max Steiner’s orchestration, done for Warner Brothers. Take a look at who is reading “Variety” near the end.