The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives 102 Old Lincoln Way West Galion, Ohio 44833 (202) 536-5329

1914--Lincoln Highway Songs--1942
"Gee, this is bigger that just a show,
Say, it's everybody in the Country."
Mickey Rooney
"Babes in Arms"

The "Spirit of the Lincoln Way" was infectious.

Everyone wanted to pitch in and do their part,
the Butchers, the Bakers and the Candlestick Makers,
and oh yes, the Musicians.

Their contribution is perhaps the best example of what an
integral part of American Life the Lincoln Highway had become.

If we use today as a guide and look at the significant
role music plays in our lives, we can only imagine
the importance and impact it must have had some 80 years ago.

Try and think of a single subject today that has inspired
musicians to write multiple songs about it.

In the case of the Lincoln Highway,
there was not one, not two, not three,
but five different songs titled,
"Lincoln Highway"
with Harold Arlen's
"God's Country"
as icing on the cake.

It was truely phenominal.

Music stores not only carried sheet music for piano,
but band and orchestra as well.

In addition,
several different companies
made player piano rolls.

In Hollywood,
"God's Country" was not just another show tune,
but the finale for "Babes in Arms",
one of the biggest movies of the year.

The 1939 MGM Classic,
featured the Biggest Stars of the day:
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

The song was such a hit that NBC picked it up as the
Theme song for The Lincoln Hghway Radio Show
that premiered on 48 stations Coast to Coast
later the next year.

So sit back and enjoy a bit of nostalgic Americana,
in honor of America's Greatest President:
Abraham Lincoln.

Two Step Marches & Player Piano Rolls

"Songs of the Lincoln Highway" Made their mark on the Hearts and Minds of America

Hollywood Movies & NBC Radio Shows

1914-From The Lincoln Highway to God's Country-1942

Lincoln Highway Writer: Floyd St.Clair (1871-1942) Lyrics: Unknown Published: White-1914 Sheet Music: Unknown Style: March Player Piano: Known+ Album: Heritage of the March-Volume 20 Band: 19th Army Band-Fort Dix, Pennsylvania 1st Lt. David Deitrick, Bandmaster Source: Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives Galion, Ohio 2nd Source: Bowling Green State University-Music Library Bowling Green, Ohio Comments: There was hardly a musician in the country who didn't know Floyd St. Clair through his musical arrangments and compositions for Band and Orchestra. Born in Johnstown, PA in 1871, he was the youngest band directer in the country with over 50 members by 1893. One of his many songs was "The Iron King" a march for written for Andrew Carnegie. In addition to writing, he taught music and played the pipe organ for over 16 years at the Presbyterian Church in Braddock , PA. He died in Cleveland on August 24, 1942 at the age of 71. Player Piano rolls come up from time to time Heritage of the March is the only known recording. Click for Heritage of the March Rendition-MP3, 271Kb

Lincoln Highway Writer: Harry J. Lincoln (****-****) Lyrics: Unknown Published: Harry J. Lincoln Music Co.-1921 Sheet Music: Piano, 2 Pages+ - Band and Orchestra, 5 Pages+ Style: March Two Step Player Piano: US Regular-11433+ Source: Brian Butko Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Comments: The Harry J. Lincoln version was quite popular and is perhaps the most recognizable. Harry wrote such noteable numbers as The Midnight Fire Alarm, Halley's Comet & The Bees Wax Rag. Sheet music is available from time to time as are the Player Piano Rolls Click for Piano Sheet Music-PDF, 1.6 Mb Click for Band Sheet Music-PDF, 1.6 Mb

Lincoln Highway Writer: Alvin Willis (1873-1918) Lyrics: Unknown Published: Alvin Willis-No Date Style: March Sheet Music: Unknown Player Piano: Unknown Album: Heritage of the March-Volume 85 Band: Northeast Louisiana University Band, Jack W. White , Director Source: Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives Galion, Ohio 2nd Source: Bowling Green State University-Music Library Bowling Green, Ohio Comments: Alvin Willis was born in Berrien Springs, MI on January 2, 1873. While his father wanted him to be a farmer, his thoughts were with music. He had natural talent and taught himself to play every instrument he could get his hands on. He worked for the Conn instrument Co. for a while before touring the country with the Ringling Bros. Circus Band. In 1911 he left the circus and for the next 8 years made a living directing bands, tuning pianos, teaching, composing and publishing music. He was killed rather unexpectely by a interurban train while driving home on December 18, 1918. He was 45. Heritage of the March is the only known recording. Click for Heritage of the March Rendition-MP3, 248Kb

Lincoln Highway Writer: George B. Lutz (****-****) Lyrics: Known Published: Kramer's Music House-1922 Style: March Sheet Music: Piano, 3 Pages+ Player Piano: Known+ Source: Brian Butko Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaina Comments: Not much is known about this version. The musuem has a photo copy of the music but it's a modern rendition of the original and don't provide much information. The Museum also has a copy of the Player Piano roll which has lyrics down the right side of the roll. At some point will make this information available. Click for Piano Sheet Music-PDF, 1.6 Mb

God's Country Writer: Harold Arlin Lyrics: E. Y. Harburg Published: Chappell & Company-1939 Sheet Music: Piano with Guitar Cords, 5 Pages+ Movie: MGM-Babes in Arms-Finale+ Stars: Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Radio: NBC Lincoln Highway Radio Show-Theme Song+ Performed By: Unknown Source: The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives Galion, Ohio Comments: This Harold Arlin song was the finale for the 1939 MGM Movie Babes in Arms. Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland sang the stiring number with a cast of hundreds in this wonderful period film. The lyrics start out, "Hey there, Neighbor, Going my way, East or West on the Lincoln Highway. It was also used as the Theme song for the 1940-1942 Lincoln Highway Radio Show on NBC. The Sheet Music is a tough find, but the Movie is readily available on VHS. Click for Piano Sheet Music-PDF, 6.6 Mb Click for Audio of Movie Finale-MP3, 572 Kb Click for Intro & Exit of Radio Show-MP3, 612 Kb

Lincoln Highway Writer: Unknown Lyrics: Unknown Published: Unknown Sheet Music: Unknown Radio: NBC Lincoln Highway Radio Show-Theme Song+ Performed By: Unknown Source: The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives Galion, Ohio Comments: At some point the producers of The Lincoln Highway Radio Show show changed the theme song. It is unknown for what reason, who wrote and who sang it. To my knowledge the only available recording is from The Lincoln Highway Radio Show-Number 101, "The Aviatrix Triangle". Click for Intro & Exit of Radio Show-MP3, 527 Kb Click for New Theme Song Only-MP3, 125 Kb

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