Billy Williams and George M Cohan

[Governor Flyball]

Perhaps an odd juxtaposition of personalities Williams and Cohan. Although their fame each peaked in the 1910's.

I was listening again the Billy William's 1912 recording made in London "It's Mine When You're Done With It" and the opening phrase and melody is similar to Cohan's "Over There" published five years later.

Perhaps the phrase dates prior to William's using it?

Here is Williams in 1912
https://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/deta ... 3870203776

And Nora Bayes in 1917
https://youtu.be/XGLwJGv1fAQ?si=bmO31RHXIK3ndEBO