"[1] According to the Library of Congress, Cohan wrote "Over There" during his commute to work on April 7, 1917,[2] a day after the U.S. officially abandoned their policy of non-interventionism and joined the Allied Powers.

Its opening verse is derived from "Johnny, Get Your Gun", an 1886 song written by Monroe Rosenfeld, while its rhythm was based on a three-note bugle call.

[3] Though early tests with soldiers saw lukewarm reception, the song was very popular with the civilian public.

Other versions recorded by Billy Murray, the American Quartet, and Arthur Fields were also made.

President Woodrow Wilson described it as "a genuine inspiration to all American manhood".

[6] As sung by early 20th-century recording artist Billy Murray: Verse 1