It is impossible to breach Songs of the American Civil War without acknowledging probably the greatest/prolific of all American popular composers Stephen Foster (1826 -1864)whose first published piece appeared at age 18. Over the course of the next 20 years he wrote 2,000 songs, then died youngish and almost penniless.

"Oh! Susanna"

"Camptown Races"

"My Old Kentucky Home"

"Old Black Joe" (Or Old Black Toe as my father first understood it)

"Beautiful Dreamer"

"Old Folks at Home" (Swanee River)

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Ahhh....8th grade Music Appreciation....the grade of "A" went to the student that brought in the most songs by Mr. Foster. Some had a dozen, one had thirty, my list was over 200.

Sniff Sniff - is there a smell of nitrous-oxide in the air?