Wartime Music

During World War One, Canada used propaganda to promote and sell the war. One of the major forms of propaganda at the time was music. Canada and the Allied countries produced songs to encourage civilians to join the war effort. Music was also used to promote the effort of those already involved on the home front and overseas. Soldiers sang songs about war battles and patriotism, which allowed them to continue promoting and engaging in the war since it built up their pride in serving Canada. Singing also allowed soldiers and civilians at home and overseas to form bonds, and it brought people together, which helped those that were involved cope with the war. Songs not only created hope for the people of Canada, but it created a new culture of music.

Indeed, the Great War is often referred to as the ‘singing war,’ which was proclaimed by former British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan.[1] Although most remember the war due to the tragedy and slaughter that took place on the Western Front, the war songs were part of the wartime culture and Canadian propaganda. According to an article by Tim Cook, allied soldiers would sing songs in the trenches, some of which were parodies of religious hymns from North America and England, which were tweaked to suit the needs of the soldiers. The singing of songs was a group activity that brought the troops closer together, and formed a bond that helped the soldiers maintain endurance throughout the war.[2] Soldiers also used the songs to alleviate stress and fears that arose due to the conditions and horror of the war. These songs were used at base camps, for marching, and the songs were sung on the front lines and in the trenches.[3] Songs were also popular on the home front, as they spread patriotism to both the soldiers and people back home, and they encouraged people to support the war effort by doing their part.

In addition, the songs allowed World War One to be studied from a different perspective, and gave a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and civilians that fought for Canada during the war. It was expected not only of the soldiers to contribute, but those on the home front were also expected to do their bit, which was contrary to the way war was fought historically. Prior to World War One, professional soldiers often fought in the wars, while the civilians stayed behind and awaited the return of their loved ones.[4] During World War One, songs were used to demonstrate the importance of both the soldiers' and civilians' contributions. Music was also used to increase propaganda as a way to influence the public opinion of the war and Canada’s involvement in it. The Canadian Government was aware that maintaining a strong morale on the front lines was just as important as maintaining one on the home front. Civilians were responsible for supporting the soldiers, rationing food and goods, buying victory bonds to finance the war, and working in the factories and other jobs that were left unattended when the war broke out and men had left to fight overseas. World War One music and other media propaganda signified the first time there was a strong tie between the government and the people of society in terms of Canada’s war effort.[5] The attitudes towards religion were also transformed through music and wartime propaganda, as many people restored their faith in God. Those involved in the war would sing songs about God and religion and relate it to the overall war effort. Attitudes of the civilians and soldiers in general was often that it was one's duty to serve the British Empire and Canada, which is why Canadian war songs generally encouraged citizens to do their part and be patriotic.

Since the songs often held meaning and were significant in promoting and enhancing the Canadian war effort, historians often questioned the use of the war songs. Several songs that were used during World War One had been lost due to not being recorded. The lack of original recordings also makes the songs difficult to place in a historical context, or to understand the bond between the audience and the singer.[6] However, many of the songs were studied through the soldier's discourse, newspapers, post-war writings, and recordings. The songs often offered a voice to those who were silenced, and allowed others to understand the culture that existed in Canada during World War One. Moreover, songs typically had multiple meanings for different people. Civilians, soldiers, labourers, farmers, miners, all of whom contributed to the war effort, had different understandings of the various songs. The genre and type of music would also differ amongst the different groups.[7] Indeed, there were at least 500 songs recorded in Canada during World War One.[8] Thus, historians studying the war and people who lived through the war often understand songs differently. 

Music during World War One was also used to encourage Canadian soldiers who were heading to battle, marching, or working on the front lines. Songs would give soldiers a rhythmic step, or push them to persevere through the harsh conditions of the trenches. Songs could be heard through the battles and across No Man’s Land.[9] Songs could  be used to taunt other units and formations, or enemy soldiers.[10] Indeed, songs were often seen as essential to the expressivity of everyday life of the soldiers and civilians who fought for Canada in World War One.[11] Additionally, the Canadian Armed Forces often had bands that would enlist to fight overseas, and play music for the troops as they walked to the front. Canadian pipers were often involved in marching the troops to the front lines, and many died as a result of being undefended. The bagpipes had become known as an instrument and a weapon of war (see the Wikipedia page for Canadian Pipers in World War One for more information).[12] The songs were a significant part of Canada’s war effort and contribution.

Music was important to soldiers and civilians, and it was used to promote the Canadian war effort and enhance patriotism. The songs remained in the memories of those involved and allowed historians to gain greater understanding of Canada’s wartime culture and thought.