After the USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor in 1898, Harris rewrote it with a soldier in place of a fireman.

[2] The song tells the story of a young soldier who is fatally shot while saving his company's fallen flag.

The General, who initially praises the soldier for his brave deed, realizes he is, in fact, his own son.

The chorus is the soldier's dying wishes, and is as follows:[4] The sheet music can be found at Pritzker Military Museum & Library.

[4] The vocal group, Shannon Four, recorded a version of Break the News to Mother in Camden, New Jersey on July 31, 1917.