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Montana Freemason April 2017 Volume 93 Number 1 Montana Freemason April 2017 Volume 93 Number 1
GOODNIGHT SOLDIER

Song by: Bro. Harry Johnson (38)

The importance of music to morale at home and During the funeral service at Dowling Chapel in
overseas during World War II can’t be denied, and it Hamilton. Included in the services were two songs
was proliferated by the abundance of the radio. Radio written by Harry Johnson, which was sung by Mrs.
made it possible to for many new song writers and E.G. Brownlee who was accompanied by Mrs.
singers to become recognizable and provide a boost Wallace McCrackin. The songs were: “God’s Garden
to service men abroad and families at home. It was of Love: and “Come Take My Hand.”
an era of swing, blues and country and big bands.
The music touches all emotions from fun and hope, The song Good Night Soldier was covered by
longing, loss, and love and lifted the American spirit. several artists including Pasty Montana & Her
Pardners; Martha Mears and most widely known as
Once such song writer was Harry W. Johnson. sung by Judy Canova.
Harry W. Johnson was born in Waverly, PA January 5,
1886. He moved to the Pacific coast where he met and
wed Jeannette Summers, who hailed from the Bitter GOODNIGHT SOLDIER
Root Valley in Montana. After they had married they (BY: Harry W. Johnson)
moved to California. In 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
move to an area just east of Corvallis which they Dusky Shadows come to hide you
farmed until 1921 then moved to Oregon until 1934 Twilight steals the day
when they returned to Montana and acquired the Sula Where you are, I’m there beside you
Store. The Johnson’s acquired real property at the Though you’re far away
mouth of Ross Hole where they erected a new store
with living quarters and some tourist cabins which Good night soldier, wherever you may be
they operated until 1948. Later buying a home near My heart’s lonely without you
the Grantsdale bridge. They lived there for five years Good night soldier, taps or reveille
when they sold and acquired a home at 500 South Finds me dreaming about you
Fourth St, Hamilton. Harry Johnson spent several
years engaged upholstery at Hamilton. He was a Someday skies will change to blue
member of the Presbyterian Church in Hamilton and Smiles will lighten sorrow **
for some years oversaw the choir at that church. Good night soldier, angles walk with you
Keep you through each tomorrow
Harry W. Johnson was also a member of the Ionic
Masonic Lodge No. 38, he was initiated as an Entered (Instrumental Break)
Apprentice on February 3, 1941; Passed to the Degree
of a Fellow Craft on February 27, 1941; and Raised Good night soldier, wherever you may be
to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on March My heart’s lonely without you
27, 1941. Good night soldier, taps or reveille
Finds me dreaming about you
He had a passion for song writing; he wrote western
songs, ballads, sacred songs, and patriotic songs. Two Someday skies will change to blue
of his songs have been poplar in Montana, “Have you Smiles will lighten sorrow **
Ever Seen Montana” and “In the Bitter Root Valley”. Good night soldier, angles walk with you
Keep you through each tomorrow
But his most important work was “Good Night Good Night!
Soldier” which won national acclaim during World
War II and was featured in a No. 1 song hit over radio
by nations stars. He tried to leave a song in the heart
of all who knew him.
** In the Judy Canova recording, this line is sung as
“Smiles will banish sorrow”

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