Annie, Dear, I’m Called Away

Lyrics - unknown (see below)
Music - Bob Nolan
Original copyright: December 5, 1972

By a cottage in the twilight stood a soldier and a maid
Solemn words were being spoken for his country needs his aid
Down her cheeks the tears were streaming, trembling she bids him stay
Firmly sadly comes the answer Annie, dear I’m called away.

Refrain:
Good-bye Annie good-bye darlin’
Tho’ I fain would with thee stay
‘Tis decreed that I must leave thee
Annie dear I’m called away.

Next the beat of marching footsteps passing by that cottage door
And the soldier smiling bravely leaves her whom he’ll see no more
Tho’ she shall in broken slumber ever after hear him say
In a tender mournful whisper Annie dear I’m called away.

There has been a mighty conflict victory has been nobly won
And a youthful soldier dying e’er his life has well begun
Comrade he is feebly saying I shall never live ‘til day
If you are spared to see my darling tell her I am called away.

The song is included in Bob Nolan's catalogue because the lyric sheet was found in the repertoire box with his name with an “M” typed above it to show he’d written the music for it. The song itself was already in print by 1885.

"According to ‘Country Music Sources’ by Guthrie T. Meade, this song is also known as "Called Away" and "Goodbye Maggie." Words and music were first known to have appeared in print in 1885 by C.B. Coolidge. Other possible authors are Harry Hunter and John Guest, who published "Annie Dear I'm Called Away" ca. 1891. Reference sources found in Wehman's Collection of Songs [WCS #10. April 1886. p. 8] and in Good Old Time Songs [GOTS #3 p. 88]. The earliest known recordings of this were by Jack Mathis. He recorded "Annie Dear I'm Called Away" in Dallas, TX. for Victor on 10/18/1929 but it was unissued. He recorded the song again for Columbia on 12/02/1929 and was issued as C-15440-D. It was also issued by Regal Zonophone as RZ G20741 in October 1930. Numerous versions followed as "Goodbye Betsy," and "Goodbye Maggie;" recorded by Bill Monroe in the 1930s. A musical by the name of Annie Dear appeared in New York in 1924 with music and lyrics by Claire Kummer, but I don't know if it has anything to do with this song."
(Aaron Smithers, UNC, May 14, 2003)

We have no copy of published sheet music for this song.
Typed copy of the lyrics from Bob Nolan’s repertoire box

Listen to the 1929 Jack Mathis recording. The melody is very different from Nolan's on the 1934 Standard Radio Transcriptions.