ENG 410: WWII Literature

https://eng410wwiilit.commons.gc.cuny.edu

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree- The Andrews Sisters

The Andrews Sisters sang many famous tunes that still are referenced a lot today. Much of their
songs have been re-sung by many modern-day artists like Katy Perry, Bette Midler and
Christina Aguilera. The song, “Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree”, was debuted by the Andrews
Sisters in a film named Private Bukaroo, in 1942.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPJZTRqQ1Xw[/embed]

Conveniently during the war and in a war film. The Andrews Sisters, LaVerne Sophia, Maxene
Angelyn and Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews were a set of real sisters in a girl group. The
composers of the song were, Charles Tobias and Sam H. Stept. The sisters often sang, jazz
and upbeat, swing and famously the boogie-woogie. You can even see how they are dressed,
in women's army uniform saluted with a smile.

The song is sang with ‘oomph’, cheery to the listeners and even the singers given the actuality
behind it. It even represents the propaganda point, ‘keep calm and carry on’ in a sense that,
even though this is a sensitive matter, we can all bump, eat, drink and dance to. This song,
upbeat and sing as it is, gives listeners a good insight on war relationships. The voice of the
song, is a solider writing to the girl he behind at home. He tells her that he has gone, and pleads
that she stay faithful to him. Hence the title, ‘don’t go sitting under the apple tree with anyone
else but me’. The solider tells her to wait for him and not to move on and even slightly accuses
her of flirting with another solider, a girl that fits her to the ‘T’. As seen in the lyrics listed below
:

I wrote my Mother, I wrote my Father And now I'm writing you too I'm
sure of Mother, I'm sure of Father And now I want to be sure Very,
very sure Of you Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else b

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 ENG 410: WWII Literature

https://eng410wwiilit.commons.gc.cuny.edu

ut me Anyone else but me, anyone else but me, no, no, no Don't sit
under the apple tree with anyone else but me Till I come marching hom
e. Don't go walking down Lovers' Lane with anyone else but me, Any
one else but me, anyone else but me, no, no, no Don't go walking down
Lovers' Lane with anyone else but me Till I come marching home I
just got word from a guy who heard From the guy next door to me The
girl he met just loves to pet And it fits you to a T So don't sit un
der the apple tree with anyone else but me Till I come marching home
Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me With anyone
else but her, no, no, no Not a single soul but me, no, no, no Don't
you sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me Not till you se
e me Not until you see me marching home Home, home, home, sweet home
Don't go walking down Lovers' Lane with anyone else but me With a
nyone else but her, no, no, no Not a single soul but me, no, no, no
Don't you go walking down Lovers' Lane with anyone else but me Not ti
ll you see me Not until you see me marching home Home, home, home, s
weet home Can't wait till I come marching home Don't go walking do
wn Lovers' Lane No walking down Lovers' Lane Till you see me When y
ou see me marching home Then we'll go arm in arm We'll sit down un
der the apple tree Baby just you and me When I come marching home

This song would have been a definite hit among the people during the war time, because one
can only imagine this is what the solider were telling their women as they left or in letters. It
really resonates with the men and women at the time because war is only really looked at in a
political and economically view, really does it shed light on how it can impact lives, families and
relationships. Most men were drafted and had no choice in leaving, married or not. Women
were left on their own and either heard word that their significant other had died in the line of
duty or, moved on fully. I think this song would have been played in hangouts for so idlers,
they’re off duty watering holes and even at home at parties. The tone and beat of the song
suggest fun and happy but really highlights the aftermath of war and its effect on a couple’s
relationship. With insecurity, doubt and even it having it been sung by an actual man to make it
even more real.

The song was sung by Glenn Miller, a man that represents all soldiers singing to their gals. I
would assume that this song would leave a mark on history in music, having it be about a
couples strained relationship affected by war, something that happens very often now. People
are still affected by distance and the unknown of not returning, leaving people uneasy and full of
insecurities that their significant other might move on.

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