I need help. In my about-to-be published book, “How Could These Lovely People Let It Happen? A Psychologists Intimate Journal,” I want to use the words to the song I remember singing in high school chorus back in 1946 or so. One source tells me it was written by John W. Bratton and published by Bourne, Inc. But when I go there I find different words with the same basic message. Can anyone out there send me in the right direction to get the permission I need? Here’s what I remember.
One world built on a firm foundation. One world no longer cursed by war. Let no mortal man change the master’s plan in a world where war shall cease. One world built on love and peace.
It occurs to me that I might be remembering the last verse, not the first. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
If you’re curious, the preface to the book can be found on my web site, www.forgivenessoptions.com
monagustafsonaffinito 
Hi Mona, Have you tried using AI?KathySent from my iPhone
Thanks for the suggestion. I might call on you for help. Pursuing another suggestion tonight. Will be back on It tomorrow
I don’t know if you are still searching for the song’s composer, but if you are, a possibility is Geoffrey O’Hara; the librettist is Bratton. The info I found gave Bourne as the publisher. What gives me pause is that the work was written for a male chorus, not that it could not be adapted. I hope this is helpful.
I don’t know if you are still searching for the composer, but a possibility is Geoffrey O’Hara; the librettist is Bratton. According to the info I found, the publisher is Bourne. What gives me a bit of pause is that the work was written for a male chorus, not that it couldn’t be (or wasn’t) adapted for different vocal ranges. I hope this helps.
Sorry for the duplication! After I initially posted, it said I had to sign in via WordPress and it did not show my original response so I wrote it again.
thanks so much for checking. Actually I’ve decided just to write around it. I was sent down too many rabbit holes. Apparently it’s exceedingly difficult to get permits for old stuff, but it did indicate that it was still under copyright. Just for the fun of it I tried to buy the music, but it’s unavailable. To tell the truth, that was the point I was making in the book. It’s a song about a world at peace which disappeared almost as soon as it was performed. I nurse my own private conspiracy about that. I didn’t understand back then that there are people whose lives thrive on war and destruction.
Anyway, the manuscript will soon be a book, and I think it’s been treated very well by Beaver’s Pond Press.