 Berlin composed the song as an expression of protest against the indignities of Army routine shortly after being drafted into the United States Army in 1918.The song soon made the rounds of camp and became popular with other soldiers, partly because hatred of reveille was universal.The commanding officer of Camp Upton in eastern Long Island took an interest in Berlin's talents and assigned him to write and produce a fundraising benefit to raise funds for a new visitors' center at the base.