Origins/Chords: Faded Coat of Blue

Subject: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: WyoWoman
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 02:48 PM

Looking for chords to The FADED COAT OF BLUE, please.

ww

Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Margo
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 04:14 PM

I have the chords to this one too, but I'm afraid I will mess it up again. How about if I put the chord immediately before the word is falls upon? Here we go:

The Faded Coat of Blue

D7 My G brave lad he D7 sleeps in his G faded coat of blue,
In a D7 lonely grave unknown lies the G heart that C beat so G true;
He sank faint and D7 hungry a-G-mong the famished brave
and they D7 laid him sad and lonely with-G-in his D7nameless G grave, G7

C No more the G bugle D7 calls the weary G one,
C Rest noble G spir-G#it, A7 in thy grave un-D7known!
I'll G find you and C know you a-Em-mong the good and G true
When a Am7 robe of white is D7 Giv'n for the Gfaded D7 Coat of G blue.

There are five verses in this book. Do you have the melody?

Margarita

Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: WyoWoman
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 05:38 PM

Thanks again, Margarita. Yes, I have the tune, and the rest of the words. And I know all those chords. (Ok, ok, not the G# ... but I'll just skip that one for the time being. Who's to know? Except maybe some old Civil War ghost who'll come to disturb my dreams...)

You're the best, WW

Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Winters Wages
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 07:21 PM

Don't feel bad WW..I can't play that Damn B or B flat and F is a stretch I have to capo up...and here in S.F. were considered Sissy if we do that (smile) Winters Wages

Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: WyoWoman
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 09:45 PM

Ah, the silly competitions of musicians. (Have I ever told you about my vocal range???)

ww

Subject: Lyr Add: Faded Coat of Blue ("The Nameless Grave")
From: Artful Codger
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 08:37 PM

The DigiTrad entry for "The Faded Coat of Blue" neglects to mention that it was written by J.H. [John Hugh] McNaughton (1829-1891), and published in 1865. It bears the alternate title "The Nameless Grave".

You can find a scan of the original sheet music at the Lester S. Levy site. The sheet music includes an optional repeat of the refrain by a chorus.

Benjamin Robert Tubbs' Public Domain Music site has a nice MIDI. Scroll down to the entries for 1865 (the year blickies at the top may not work) and continue down to the F's.

Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:03 PM

I think I may have mentioned this in another thread, but Jolie Holland is a young singer who has recorded her own wonderfully quirky stuff, with some really random folk tunes thrown in. Her voice is unique, and takes some getting used to, but I'm hooked.

Her album "Escondida" has a lovely version of "Faded Coat of Blue".

I SWEAR I heard her voice on a tv commercial the other night. Could it have been JC Penney?

Dani

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Thank you Artful Codger-Post 01 March, 2007!
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 06:39 PM

THANK YOU, Artful Codger,

For giving my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, John Hugh MacNaughton (J. H. McNaughton/J. H. M'Naughton) his due in name! No one else seems to care or even mention the origin of this beloved song. God Bless you and Let the bard and composer live on!

Colleen in Rochester, NY, USA
G-G-G Grandfather lived in Caledonia, NY at the time he composed this tune.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 11:26 AM

Is the Jolie Holland any relation to Lori Holland ???

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 01:18 PM

I doubt that the is related to Lori. She is from Australia.

She must be quite a star. She is playing Carnegie Hall in NYC on March 11th.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Luke S.
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 12:22 AM

I wish I could help...I now live in John H. MacNaughton's home in Caledonia. If you were looking for Belle Mahone that would be easy, I have several copies. I have yet to find a copy of Faded Coat of Blue.

To give some possible perspective on the song, I noticed he is signing about an unmarked grave from the civil war. Not a mile from his home on Route 5 in Caledonia there is grave of an unknown soldier from the war of 1812. Perhaps he was inspired passing by. MacNaughton unfortunately knew a lot about the loss of a child. He lost a 5 year old and a 6 year old to diptheria.

If Colleen from Rochester (MacNaughton's great great great granddaughter) is out there I would love to talk to her. We have been in the house for about one year. My wife's grandparents lived there from 1965-2007. Unfortunately, I missed the boat on John G MacNaughton apparently a relative and history professor that lived less than two miles away. Please contact me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Teacher Sue
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 12:25 PM

I happen to know a little about this verse. I believe it to be written for Gordon B. Meldrum, born in Caledonia, NY who volunteered for the 100th NY Infantry during the Civil War. His beautiful memorial (I believe he is not buried there as he died in Libby Prison in 1862 as a POW) was commissioned by his brothers Norman and John. The verse is on the side of the memorial stone, which is surmounted by an Italian sculpture of Gordon (crafted from a photo) in his uniform. It is a very, very, beautiful and touching site. I had thought the verse to be a poem written by a family member...but now I know! Libby Prison was infamous for it's poor treatment, horrible overcrowded conditions, and lack of food and care for the POWs of the Civil War. You can feel this in the words of the verse MacNaughton created for the younger brother of the elder Meldrums.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Ron Davies
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 09:36 PM

This is a great song. What I find fascinating is that the workings of the folk process on it.

The melody the Carter Family and all bluegrass singers do--and probably most folkies in general--is nothing like the original melody.   The one we do is much simpler than the original--much easier to sing.

It's also very interesting to learn that it likely had to do with Libby Prison.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue/Gordon Meldrum
From: GUEST,Liz Brown
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 01:44 PM

Just stumbled on this post this morning when I was working on genealogy. Gordon B. Meldrum was a first cousin of my great grandfather John N. Robertson (Gordon's father was John's mother's brother). I have visited his memorial in Mumford Cemetery, and had assumed that his brothers had just chosen the words from "Faded Coat of Blue" as it was a popular song of the time whose words were appropriate--it's amazing to think that possibly it was written with Gordon in mind!

I don't know how much my great grandfather would have been aware of his cousins in the U.S.--he was born near Aberdeen Scotland in 1837 and emigrated to Canada in 1871; he died in Burford, Ontario in 1913.

Thanks for the interesting post, Teacher Sue!
Liz

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: GUEST,Teacher Sue
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 09:42 AM

Hi Liz,

I do not have documentation that the song was written for Gordon Meldrum, but it is quite possible given the history of MacNaughton. Please post if you find any other information. Best of luck with your family history research! I would love know more. The monument is also documented in the National Archives. It is documented that the monument was commissioned by the brothers and sculpted in Italy using a photo of Gordon. I will post a link for you.
Regards!

Subject: RE: Mudcat FAQ - Newcomer's Guide
From: colorado boy
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 08:06 PM

Hi from snowy Colourful Colorado.i am requesting the chords to the civil war song:"Faded Coat Of Blue" written by J.H.Naughton in 1865.Can anyone out there help me find them? It would be like getting n early Christmas present! Thanx for any help....colorado boy}

Subject: RE: Mudcat FAQ - Newcomer's Guide
From: GUEST,999--don't know where else to put this.
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 08:09 PM

"Subject: RE: Chords plz: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Margo
Date: 24 Jul 99 - 04:14 PM

I have the chords to this one too, but I'm afraid I will mess it up again. How about if I put the chord immediately before the word is falls upon? Here we go:
The Faded Coat of Blue

D7 My G brave lad he D7 sleeps in his G faded coat of blue,
In a D7 lonely grave unknown lies the G heart that C beat so G true;
He sank faint and D7 hungry a-G-mong the famished brave
and they D7 laid him sad and lonely with-G-in his D7nameless G grave, G7


C No more the G bugle D7 calls the weary G one,
C Rest noble G spir-G#it, A7 in thy grave un-D7known!
I'll G find you and C know you a-Em-mong the good and G true
When a Am7 robe of white is D7 Giv'n for the Gfaded D7 Coat of G blue.


There are five verses in this book. Do you have the melody?

Margarita "

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 08:34 PM

If the question is in the FAQ, it's fine to post the answer there. I can move 'em.
And I e-mailed the requester.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: colorado boy
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 10:27 PM

thanx Margie,Joe&GUEST,999 for helping me find the chords to this song. On plaaying it, i found it to be a little different from the Carter's version,but playable and workable and doable....Thanx again....colorado boy}

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Bluegrassman
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 06:56 PM

Here is the grave of Gordon B Meldrum in Mumford Cemetery, cut and paste, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsp=219&GRid=14507310&. Quite an elaborate memorial.

Col

Subject: DT Correction: The Faded Coat of Blue (McNaughton)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Aug 17 - 02:32 PM

From the sheet music at the University of Alabama. I have boldfaced the words that are different from the DT. Also note the verses are in a different order, and no subtitle is given.

This copy is marked: "24th Edition" on the cover.

THE FADED COAT OF BLUE Words and music by J. H. McNaughton. Rochester, N. Y.: H. S. Mackie, ©1865. 1. My brave lad he sleeps in his faded coat of blue, In a lonely grave unknown lies the heart that beat so true. He sank, faint and hungry, among the famished brave, And they laid him sad and lonely within his nameless grave. CHORUS: No more the bugle calls the weary one; Rest, noble spirit, in thy grave unknown. I'll find you and know you among the good and true When a robe of white is giv'n for the faded coat of blue. 2. He cried, "Give me water and just a little crumb, And my mother she will bless you through all the years to come. Oh! tell my sweet little sister, so gentle, good and true, That I'll meet her up in Heaven in my faded coat of blue." 3. He said, "My dear comrades, you cannot take me home, But you'll mark my grave for mother, she'll find me if she come, I fear that she'll not know me, among the good and true When I meet her up in Heav'n in my faded coat of blue. 4. Long, long years have vanished, and though he comes no more, Yet my heart will startling beat with each footfall at my door. I gaze o'er the hill where he waved a last adieu But no gallant lad I see in his faded coat of blue. 5. No sweet voice was there breathing soft a mother's prayer, But there's One who takes the brave and the true in tender care. No stone marks the sod o'er my lad so brave and true In his lonely grave he sleeps in his faded coat of blue.

FADED COAT OF BLUE (DT lyrics) My brave laddie sleeps in his faded coat of blue, In a lonely grave unknown lies the heart that beat so true. He sank, faint and hungry, among the famished brave, And they laid him sad and lonely within a nameless grave. cho: No more the bugle calls the weary one; Rest, noble spirit, in a grave unknown. I will find you and know you among the brave and true When a robe of white is given for a faded coat of blue. He cried, "Give me water and just a little crumb, And my mother she will bless you for all the days to come. Tell my sweet little sister, so good and kind and true, That I'll meet her up in Heaven in my faded coat of blue." cho: Long, long years have vanished, and though he comes no more, Yet my heart with faltering beats at each footfall at the door. I gaze at the hill where he waved his last adieu But no gallant lad I see in his faded coat of blue. cho: No sweet voice was there breathing soft a mother's prayer, But there's One who takes the brave and the true in tender care. No stone marks the sod o'er my lad so brave and true In his lonely grave he sleeps in his faded coat of blue. cho: He said, "My dear comrades, you cannot take me home, But you'll mark my grave for mother, she'll find me if she comes, I fear that she'll not know me among the good and true When I meet her up in Heaven in my faded coat of blue.

note: last verse from DAD
@war @death @American
filename[ FADECOAT

TUNE FILE: FADECOAT
CLICK TO PLAY
RG,DAD

Popup Midi Player

Subject: Origins: Faded Coat of Blue
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 May 21 - 03:58 PM

Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index:

Faded Coat of Blue

DESCRIPTION: "My brave boy sleeps in his faded coat of blue, In a lonely grave unknown lies that heart that beat so true." Dying, he bids farewell to mother. The singer is confident they will meet in heaven "Where a robe of white is given for a faded coat of blue."
AUTHOR: J. H. McNaughton
EARLIEST DATE: 1865 (sheet music published by Penn & Remington, Buffalo, NY)
KEYWORDS: Civilwar death farewell
FOUND IN: US(Ro,So) Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (8 citations):
Hudson-FolksongsOfMississippi 126, pp. 266-267, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (1 text)
Hubbard-BalladsAndSongsFromUtah, #152, "In His Faded Coat of Blue" (1 text, 1 tune)
Greig/Duncan1 104, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (4 texts, 4 tunes)
Silber-SongsOfTheCivilWar, pp. 161-163, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (1 text, 1 tune)
Hill-PoemsAndSongsOfTheCivilWar, pp. 227-228, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (1 text)
Heart-Songs, pp. 26-27, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (1 text, 1 tune)
Wolf-AmericanSongSheets, #587, p. 39, "The Faded Coat of Blue" (1 reference)
DT, FADECOAT*
ST HCW227 (Full)
Roud #4293
RECORDINGS:
Carter Family, "Faded Coat of Blue" (Bluebird B-5974/Montgomery Ward M-4543, 1935; Regal Zonophone [Australia] G22656, n.d.; rec. 1934)
Buell Kazee, "Faded Coat of Blue" (Brunswick 206/Brunswick 3802, 1928; Supertone S-2045, 1930)
John Thomas, "Faded Coat of Blue" (on MUNFLA/Leach)
SAME TUNE:
Thirty Cents a Day ("In a dim-lighted chamber a dying maiden lay, The tide of her pulses was ebbing fast away") (Foner, p. 162)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
The Coat of Blue
NOTES [89 words]: Written during the Civil War (or so I've heard, though I've also seen claims that it's a Spanish-American war song), this was apparently collected by A. P. Carter and recorded by the Carter Family in 1934. I know of no other collection in tradition. - RBW
[A]s far as the Carters' being the only collection in tradition -- doesn't Buell Kazee count? His record was issued made and issued in 1928, or six years before the Carter Family's. - PJS
And, of course, we can now add Hudson-FolksongsOfMississippi's and Grieg's versions. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.0
File: HCW227

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Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: The Og
Date: 11 May 21 - 10:40 AM

This post may be way too late, but this is the way I do it (Based on the version of the Dry Branch Fire Squad)...

Faded Coat of Blue (C)
By JH McNaughton (1865)…recorded by the Carter Family (1927-35)

          1                                        4
Oh my brave lad he sleeps in his faded coat of blue,
       1                                     2                            5
In a cold, lonely grave lays a heart that beat so true,
          1                                  4
Oh he fell cold and hungry among the vanquished brave,
               1                            5                        1
And they laid him to rest within a nameless grave.


         1                                                   4
   No more the bugle calls the weary one,
   5
   Rest noble spirit in a grave unknown,
                1
   We may find you and know you…
   4
among the good and true,
                1                                             5                   1
   When a robe of white is given for a faded coat of blue.


Oh he cried "Give me water, and just a little crumb,
And my daddy he will bless you for all the years to come,
And tell my dear mother so gentle, kind, and true,
I will meet her up in heaven in my faded coat of blue.

Now long years passed and though he came no more,
Still my heart with startling beat with each footstep at the door,
Though I gaze on the hillside where he made his last adieu,
Still no gallant lad I see there in his faded coat of blue.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Faded Coat of Blue
From: BTMP
Date: 11 May 21 - 10:50 AM

John McDermott also does a great job on this song, although his lyrics and chords vary slightly from those of the DBFS.