OCR Text |
Show NO GREAT SONG HAS COME FROM THIS WAR Anne O'Hare McCormack tells of seeing a company of soldiers, who "wanted to sing but had no song," and then declares that "this is not a singing war because it is not a sentimental war." This brings to mind the fact that the war has not produced a "great song," but we are inclined to agree with Irving Berlin, who writes in Variety that "the 'Over There' of this war will (not) come through contests or specific rules." It will "come along one day without with-out any artificial stumulus." To risk our own opinion, we suggest that songs that live arise from deep human emotions. In the present war, the people on the home front have not been stirred out of their selfish complacency. com-placency. This is apparent in Congressional Con-gressional bickerings, civilian complaints com-plaints and political shenanigans. The nation has, of necessity, gone to war in self defense. It is determined to end a menace which became real, despite the Pollyan-nas, Pollyan-nas, but some reason, the much touted "four freedoms" do not click. If the mood of the American people continues, there will hardly arise a notable war song from the home front, but the chances are that some soldier or sailor will be moved, through suffering and deep experience, to give expression to the fundamental feeling of our service men. This will be the war song of this war. |