State Historical Society of Iowa

"Don't Bite the Hand that's Feeding You," 1915

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Don't Bite the Hand that's Feeding You," 1915

Description

The war song, "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You," was aimed at convincing immigrants of the importance of staying loyal to the United States during World War I. The song was composed by Jimmie Morgan and the lyrics were written by Thomas Hoier. The piece was published in New York in 1915 by Leo Feist.

Original Sheet Music for "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You"

Transcript of Lyrics to "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You"

Source Dependent Questions

  • Who was the intended audience of this song? Identify the line(s) that best reflect the intended audience.
  • What was the songwriter asking of his audience? In other words, what was the purpose of this song?
  • How does the songwriter feel Americans should balance their individual freedoms with loyalty to the United States during the war? Use evidence from the source to support your response.

Citation Information

Morgan, Jimmie, Hoier, Thomas and Leo Feist, "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You," 1915. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress