Lyr Req: Buena Vista's Battlefield

Subject: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Les B
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 12:02 AM

I just discovered that in the 1920's my grandfather used to sing a song with the following verse "On Buena Vista's battlefield a dying soldier lay..." It apparently refers to the war with Mexico in 1848, which his father fought in. I've looked in the data base and at several other sources, but haven't found it yet. Any clues ??

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Les B
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 05:23 PM

Thought I'd throw this on top of the pile again. I'm still looking for this song.

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 05:36 PM

It could refer to a battlefield just about anywhere. There are many Buena Vista's. Unfortunately, they aren't all pronounced correctly. The one in Virginia (I am fairly certain there was a Civil War battle there,) is pronounced, BEWNA VISTA!

I will look among the Civil War songs to see if anything turns up.

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 06:12 PM

That's another parody of Bingen on the Rhine.

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Aug 99 - 06:58 PM

No luck there. And from what I found, any other battle by that name would pale in comparison. But the search wasn't entirely fruitless. I encountered a commentary written by Mark Twain about his adventures during the Civil War (I have always wondered that anyone could ever give war such a dignifying name!). His story is here

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Les B
Date: 12 Aug 99 - 05:57 PM

Thanks, Allan C., for the thought that the lines might refer to a Civil War or other battle, I hadn't considered that. (My mother sort of implied that her dad said the lines were from the war with Mexico, but she could easily be wrong, as it was nearly 70 years ago she heard him sing them) I skimmed the Twain site, found it interesting and plan to go back later tonight for a good intensive read. I'd forgotten how funny he was and how well he wrote!

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 05:05 PM

refresh, just because I'm curious.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DYING SOLDIER OF BUENA VISTA
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:29 PM

The one in the Mexican War (1847) was the subject of a popular Currier and Ives print (can be seen at American Memory). Four dead or wounded soldiers are in the foreground.
Sheet music by Charles Grobe, 1847, at American Memory. No real lyrics, but a running commentary on what the music is representing.
A similar piece, by Wm. Striby, 1850.

More likely is one of the broadsides. One, dedicted to the Buena Vista Guards (Civil War) was sung to the tune, "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Also at American Memory. Enter -Buena Vista, song- in Search.

But this is the one you are looking for: "The Dying Soldier of Buena Vista," by Orramel Whittlesey, 1849:

On Buena Vista's bloody field,
A soldier dying lay,
His thoughts were on his mountain home
Some thousand miles away,
His thoughts were on his mountain home
Some thousand miles away,
He called his comrades to his side,
For much he had to say
In briefest time to those who were
Some thousand miles away,
In briefest time to those who were
Some thousand miles away.

I know 'twill grieve his inmost soul
To think that nevermore
I'll sit with him beneath the oak
That shades his cottage door
I'll sit with him beneath the oak
That shades our cottage door.
But tell the time worn patriot
That mindful of his fame
Upon this bloody battlefield
I sullied not his name.
Upon this bloody battlefield
I sullied not his name.

Enter the title in Search to find the sheet music: Search

Subject: RE: LYRIC REQ. Buena Vista's Battlefield
From: GUEST,Les B.
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 10:13 PM

I did finally find the words and the music,and have since lost them in a pile of songs. I'll check when I get home from work and see if they are the same as Q just posted. They were/are from the War of 1848, not the Civil War.