Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedOver There
Patriotic1910sPictured: George M. Cohan, c. 1918 (public domain) · source
123BPM
UnconfirmedKey
More around 120 BPM → · More “Public Domain” →
Algorithmically estimated; acoustic-era recordings are a documented hard case for automated tempo/key detection.
The verdict
Public Domain
In the public domain — but check the Rights Status below; a specific host's copy can carry its own caveat.
Used by independents?
Yes — it’s in the public domain — free for any independent artist to use, with no clearance needed.
Origin
Written by George M. Cohan in 1917, inspired by a bugle call, in response to America's entry into WWI
First performers
First sung publicly by Nora Bayes; recorded by Nora Bayes and Enrico Caruso, among others
Congressional Gold Medal
Cohan received the Congressional Gold Medal from FDR in 1936, largely for this song and 'You're a Grand Old Flag' — the first artist in any field so honored
Rights Status
Licenses explained →Public domain is not one blanket badge — each source can carry its own caveat
The compositionPublic domain
The early recordingPublic domain
Cultural Impact
Documented covers, adaptations, and cultural echoes — each with a real, dated source
America's most popular WWI song
Sold millions of copies of sheet music and boosted morale during WWI; still current enough that American soldiers heard it again heading into WWII.
NPR · read it →
Recorded by Enrico Caruso
A direct link to Vesti la Giubba — Caruso, the era's most famous operatic voice, also recorded this patriotic song.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?Yes — free to use without clearance
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026BPM/Key fast-follow: tempo and key are interpretation-dependent across arrangements and performances — no canonical value, so both marked Unconfirmed rather than invented
Jul 2026Page created