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Songs of the American Civil War
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Pariah Date: 10 Feb 21 - 12:49 PM Is that a lament for "The Lost Cause" or a lament for the abolition of Slavery? Or both? Both, certainly. It also pays to remember that the "Cause" in question was the establishment of a nation founded upon slavery as a positive good and dedicated to white supremacy. Rather like the current TrumPublican party. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Thompson Date: 10 Feb 21 - 05:30 AM By the way, I searched the "Forum and DT" search for "civil war" and while there were many results from the DT, none came up from the forum; a little glitch, maybe? |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Thompson Date: 10 Feb 21 - 05:29 AM Interesting blog: Four Years of the Irish at War in Poetry & Song |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Seth in Winfield - hijacking thread Date: 08 Apr 18 - 06:32 PM Bill D.— Apologies for hijacking a thread. I am winding down a master's thesis on the Walnut Valley Festival and then will transition into some history collection in preparation for the 50th anniversary. Based on your post history, you have a lot to say—and maybe some old recordings to hear. If you see this and might be willing to talk, please reach out. You can verify that I'm an actual human being here: http://communityengagementinstitute.org/center-and-initiatives/center-for-ld-staff Best email is sethsbate [at] icloud [dot] com Back to your regularly scheduled Civil War tunes ... Seth |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Mrrzy Date: 01 Apr 18 - 10:50 AM Also Two Little Boys. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 29 Mar 18 - 07:17 PM From that 400lb gorilla of Civil War docs: Various, The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording, Elektra Nonesuch, CD, E279256, 1990 Tracklist: 1 Drums of War 2 Oliver Wendell Holmes (Quote) 3 Ashokan Farewell 4 Battle Cry of Freedom 5 We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder 6 Dixie/Bonnie Blue Flag 7 Cheer Boys Cheer 8 Angel Band 9 Johnny Has Gone For a Soldier 10 Lorena 11 Parade 12 Hail Columbia 13 Dixie 14 Kingdom Coming 15 Battle Hymn of the Republic 16 All Quiet on the Potomac 17 Flag of Columbia 18 Weeping Sad and Lonely 19 Yankee Doodle 20 Palmyra Schottische 21 When Johnny Comes Marching Home 22 Shenandoah 23 When Johnny Comes Marching Home 24 Marching Through Georgia 25 Marching Through Georgia (Lament) 26 Battle Cry of Freedom 27 Battle Hymn of the Republic 28 Ashokan Farewell/Sullivan Ballou Letter |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 29 Mar 18 - 06:49 PM Ernest Jennings “Tennessee Ernie” Ford (1919 – 1991) (An Americana classic) Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings Civil War Songs Of The North, Capitol Records, T-1539 (mono), 1961 Tracklist A1 The Army of the Free A2 Virginia's Bloody Soil A3 Marching Song A4 The Why and the Wherefore A5 The Vacant Chair A6 The Fall of Charleston B1 The New York Volunteers B2 The Faded Coat of Blue B3 Marching Through Georgia B4 Just Before the Battle, Mother B5 The Girl I Left Behind Me B6 Union Dixie Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings Civil War Songs Of The South, LP, Capitol Records, T-1540 (mono), 1961 Tracklist A1 Stonewall Jackson's Way A2 Lorena A3 Riding A Raid A4 Maryland, My Maryland A5 Goober Peas A6 I Can Whip the Scoundrel B1 The Bonnie Blue Flag B2 The Valiant Conscript B3 The Rebel Soldier B4 The Southern Wagon B5 Flight of Doodles Catalog numbers are typical. There were at least six individual album (re)releases before the first compilation CD saw daylight. I'm not aware of a 2xLP set: Sings Songs Of The Civil War, Capitol Records, CD, CDP 7 95705 2,1991 Songs Of The Civil War, Bear Family Records, CD, BCD 16635 AS, 2004 |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST Date: 29 Mar 18 - 12:42 PM I believe Horton started the trend of playing "Dixie" as a lament Is that a lament for "The Lost Cause" or a lament for the abolition of Slavery? Or both? |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 29 Mar 18 - 01:16 PM Amazon has Ernie Ford on CD. Lush, 50's style instrumentation. I find the 2nd S.C.S.B. more enjoyable. Also outstanding are three CDs by Jim Taylor & Friends. Lots of first-rate (or nearly first-rate) tracks by more performers than you're likely to imagine are available via Amazon. Ex.: Soprano Custer Larue singing "The Rebel Soldier" unaccompanied. Less ethereal but also superior are several performances by Douglas Jimerson. Frank Proffitt's totally trad renditions of "Going 'cross the Mountain" and "Old Abe" are classic. Bobby Horton has recorded a number of Civil War albums with many unfamiliar songs. Very well done. I believe Horton started the trend of playing "Dixie" as a lament, on Ken Burns's TV series "The Civil War." Pianist Jacqueline Schwab gave the same treatment to "Marching Through Georgia," "The Battle Cry of Freedom," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" on the same classic series. The 1st Brigade Band is a brass ensemble that plays many Civil War-era popular tunes. They sound perfectly authentic, at least to me. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Bill D Date: 29 Mar 18 - 11:59 AM There are a number of albums by The 2nd North Carolina String Band which are as authentic as the band can make them. One example also, Tennessee Ernie Ford did an excellent job on one album... (hard to find, but I'm sure available with looking.) |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: topical tom Date: 29 Mar 18 - 11:05 AM Another civil wear song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFoDphhHh6U |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Mrrzy Date: 29 Mar 18 - 11:03 AM Hee hee I must mention that thanks to folk songs, I knew that the side which lost the Civil War wore grey and the side which won wore blue... but as an Embassy brat I did not know which side was the North and which the South. My dad was appalled. I can think of several songs that mention blue and grey, like Hey Nellie Nellie and All on a beautiful morning, and a couple which are named blue and grey in the title. I think it's spelled Gray, actually, in the US. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: topical tom Date: 29 Mar 18 - 10:51 AM Another song of the civil war:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N3bIMV-1E |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 28 Mar 18 - 08:17 PM Dozens of genuine Civil War pop songs and MIDIs: http://www.pdmusic.org/civilwar2.html How many of them has anyone ever heard of? Consider the titles alone. It was like one of those science-fiction planets that resemble the Earth we know, without quite being a duplicate. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 28 Mar 18 - 02:11 AM Here's the full listing on the Nat. Geo. album mentioned earlier: Various, Songs Of The Civil War, National Geographic, LP, ?00789, 1976 Tracklist: A1 Day of Drums A2 Dixie A3 Wait for the Wagon A4 I've Been in the Storm so Long A5 The Homespun Dress A6 Goober Peas A7 Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier A8 Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel B1 The Southern Soldier Boy B2 Follow the Drinking Gourd B3 The Yellow Rose of Texas B4 Marching Through Georgia B5 The Battle of Shiloh Hill B6 The Rebel Soldier B7 Year of Jubilo B8 Twilight at Appomattox One fiddle/mando player is none other than citybilly Jay Ungar about six years before Ashokan Farewell which, thanks to Ken Burns, is now as cliché Civil War as the acacia to Africa. Full credits are too much to list, Discogs: Songs Of The Civil War, National Geographic PS: I'd like to learn more about those Federal Government song pluggers as well. Plenty of shady dealings during the war but this one's news to me. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 27 Mar 18 - 07:05 PM > the Union government actually employed songwriters who went around the camps singing songs (mostly sentimental) and passing out the lyrics Isn't this kind of implausible? Why would the U.S. government pay songwriters to hawk their own creations? Moreover, the modern concept of propaganda as a government function hardly existed. It was hardly necessary, since newspapers and sermons were rife with it on both sides. Extreme partisanship was the norm. Which isn't to say that *music publishers* couldn't have sent salesmen to army camps to tout their songs. But if they did, surely it would have made more sense to sell the sheet music directly to the soldiers, with the suggestion that loved ones at home might like copies as well? |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,julia L Date: 27 Mar 18 - 06:26 PM I've been perusing archives of songs here in New England, esp Maine. The Maine Historical society has a number which were included in letters sent from the front. Apparently the Union government actually employed songwriters who went around the camps singing songs (mostly sentimental) and passing out the lyrics which the boys then sent home to their loved ones. If the loved ones wanted the tunes, they had to buy the sheet music! Have also found several interesting personal songs as well.. best- Julia |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 26 Mar 18 - 05:18 PM In the case of the Cumberland Three albums, "arranged" usually means "rewritten" (and/or retitled: "Down to Washington," for example, is "Abraham's Daughter, and "Bring the Good Old Bugle" is "Marching Through Georgia"). "Number 292" is "Roll, Alabama, Roll!" (See that thread.) "The Boys are Home" is (wait for it) "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."in "Gonna Get You" (inspired by "The Pateroller Song") seemed pretty innocent in 1960, but would now be described as an artifact of "rape culture." Etc. Like a couple of , "Hold Your Glasses Steady" is entirely original. It describes the battle of Shiloh as a Southern victory and a whole heap o' fun. Makes me sorry I missed it. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 26 Mar 18 - 01:01 PM The Cumberland Three ?– Civil War Almanac, Vol. 1, Yankees US – Roulette, SR25132, 1958 US – Roulette, R25132, 1960 UK – Columbia, 33SX1318, 1960 Tracklist A1 Battle Hymn of the Republic A2 Down to Washington A3 Marching Home A4 Story of the Lamb A5 Tobacco Box A6 Gonna Get You B1 Bring the Good Old Bugle B2 Minnie Balls B3 Song of the Hungry B4 Shipmates Come Gather B5 The Boys are Home B6 Back to Home The Cumberland Three ?– Civil War Almanac, Vol. 2, Rebels US - Roulette, SR25133, 1958 US - Roulette, R 25133, 1960 UK - Columbia, 33SX1325, 1960 Tracklist A1 Hallowed Ground A2 I Don't Want no Pardon A3 Lay Ten Dollars Down A4 Number 292 A5 Aura Lee A6 The Yellow Rose of Texas B1 Goober Peas B2 Picket's Lament B3 Hold Our Glasses Steady B4 Bessie B5 The Coward B6 We'll All Take a Ride Both reissued on compilation: The Cumberland Three, Songs Of The Civil War, Rhino Records, 2xCD, R2 70739, 1991 The Cumberland Three were: Gil Rubin (Gilbert “Gill” Robbins, 1931-2011) father of actor Tim Robbins. John Stewart (1939-2008) of Daydream Believer and Kingston Trio fame (61-67 lineup.) John Montgomery – 'nother California boy. 14 of 23 tracks arranged by Oscar Brand. Produced by Pete Kameron, co-founder of Track Record (Hendrix & The Who) and the LA Weekly newspaper. The only “Southerners” are of the SoCal type. I guess Brand is the North. Notes: PDQ's Harold Thom was in The Cumberlands. I don't think he was a member of the old ...Trio. Maybe one of the reunion bands. (See: 01 Feb 08 - 10:00 PM, above.) Gil Robbins was on The National Geographic, Songs of the Civil War, LP, 00789, 1976. Which has absolutely none of the songs GUEST,Bridget was looking for (see: 05 Feb 11 - 06:31 PM, above.) |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 26 Mar 18 - 12:54 PM Old vinyl and such: Win Stracke, Songs Of The Civil War, Wonderland Records, LP-138, 1974 Tracklist: A1 Weeping Sad & Lonely A2 Yankee Doodle A3 Dixie A4 John Brown's Body A5 Battle Hymn of the Republic A6 Goober Peas A7 Lorena A8 Corporal Schnapps A9 Just Before the Battle Mother A10 Parody of Just Before the Battle Mother A11 Battle Cry of Freedom B1 Bonnie Blue Flag B2 Tenting Tonight B3 Old Soldier-Wooden Leg B4 Hard Crackers B5 Stonewall Jackson's Way B6 We Are Coming Father Abraham B7 All Quiet Along the Potomac B8 When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Narration and voice of Win Stracke, male chorus, banjo, fife, drum and bugle corps.) |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 26 Mar 18 - 12:51 PM Disparaged in a recent thread as too Southern. Here's the whole artist/track list. Not too shabby. Divided & United: The Songs Of The Civil War, ATO Records, 2xCD, ATO0204, 2013. Artist/Track 1-1 –Loretta Lynn - Take Your Gun and Go, John 1-2 –Del McCoury - Lorena 1-3 –Sam Amidon - Wildwood Flower 1-4 –Bryan Sutton - Hell's Broken Loose in Georgia 1-5 –Ricky Skaggs - Two Soldiers 1-6 –Old Crow Medicine Show - Marching Through Georgia 1-7 –Vince Gill - Dear Old Flag 1-8 –Steve Earle & Dirk Powell - Just Before The Battle, Mother/Farewell, Mother 1-9 –Shovels And Rope - The Fall Of Charleston 1-10 –John Doe w/ The Milk Carton Kids - Tenting on the Old Campground 1-11 –Carolina Chocolate Drops - Day of Liberty 1-12 –Chris Thile & Michael Daves - Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel 1-13 –Chris Stapleton - Two Brothers 1-14 –Norman Blake, Nancy Blake & James Bryan - The Faded Coat of Blue 1-15 –Stuart Duncan Featuring Dolly Parton - Listen to the Mockingbird 1-16 –Pokey LaFarge - Kingdom Come 2-1 –Jamey Johnson - Rebel Soldier 2-2 –Lee Ann Womack - The Legend of the Rebel Soldier 2-3 –Jorma Kaukonen - The Mermaid Song 2-4 –Karen Elson & The Secret Sisters - Dixie 2-5 –Ralph Stanley - The Vacant Chair 2-6 –Chris Hillman with The Milk Carton Kids - Hard Times 2-7 –Taj Mahal - Down by the Riverside 2-8 –Noam Pikelny & David Grisman - Old Folks at Home/The Girl I Left Behind Me 2-9 –The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band - Secesh 2-10 –T-Bone Burnett - The Battle of Antietam 2-11 –Ashley Monroe & Aubrey Haynie - Pretty Saro 2-12 –Joe Henry w/ The Milk Carton Kids - Aura Lee 2-13 –A.A. Bondy - Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier 2-14 –Angel Snow - When Johnny Comes Marching Home 2-15 –Bryan Sutton - Battle Cry of Freedom 2-16 –Cowboy Jack Clement - Beautiful Dreamer |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 26 Mar 18 - 09:29 AM Wot, no "Booth Shot Lincoln"? |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Hrothgar Date: 26 Mar 18 - 04:48 AM We did a presentation of "Songs of the American Civil War" at a National Folk Festival in Canberra many years ago. The programme was: John Brown's Body Lincoln and Liberty The Bonnie Blue Flag (Original) The Bonnie Blue Flag With the Stripes and Stars (Union version) Dixie's Land (Original) Dixie's land (Confederate version) Dixie's Land (Michigan version) Dixie's Land (Texas version) Maryland, My Maryland (Original) Maryland, My Maryland (Northern reply) Battle Cry of Freedom (Original) Battle Cry of Freedom (Confederate version) Johnny is Gone for a Soldier (Shule a gra) The Battle Hymn of the Republic The Battle on Shiloh's Hill In the Hills of Shiloh (This was the only modern song - I could not resist putting it in) We are Coming, Father Abra'am Lorena Aura Lea Just Before the Battle, Mother (Original Just Before the Battle, Mother (Parody) Year of Jubilo Tenting on the Old Camp Ground Goober Peas Hard Crackers Come Again No More Marching Through Georgia When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! The Yellow Rose of Texas (Original) The Yellow Rose of Texas (Parody) The Alabama Oh, I'm a Good Old Rebel When Johhny Comes Marching Home It went over pretty well. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: robomatic Date: 24 Mar 18 - 05:47 PM Not anything like authentic, because they date from the 1940s: Bloomer Girl Notable not only because it resurrects the Civil War era in WWII context "When The Boys Come Home" but also because it brings up perennial American subjects such as slavery: "The Eagle and Me" sexual predation: "Farmer's Daughter" and women's rights: "It Was Good Enough For Grandma" It is full of swell lines: "Ever since that day, when the world was an onion." "She only knew what love was from eight to half-past eight." |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 22 Mar 18 - 12:23 PM These guys are probably as close to an authentic Civil War-era "folk sound" as one can get: https://hardtacks.bandcamp.com/album/hardtacks-civil-war-songster-companion Great work of recreation, but for buffs only. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: AnneMC Date: 15 Feb 11 - 01:41 PM Couple of gaps where I couldn't get the words, but this is a great song from Willie Norton about drummer boys in the Civil War. DRUMMER BOY Willie Norton CHORUS: He's going off to be a drummer boy He's going off to be a drummer boy Going off to be a drummer boy He's fighting with the Union plan His brother is of a different opinion His brother's wearing grey This war ain't done nothing but divide this country in piece Well, they say this weren't about slavery One thing you best understand This war 's about the federation and their union plan If the union wins this war, the land will never be the same No matter black or white, we'll live in economic chains Well there used to be four ----- on the farm No ------ where I used to work Some were black and some were white But we all dug in that dirt When the evening came around we'd sit around the flame Play a fiddle and guitar To the good Lord we'd sing Ain't no crops in the field, there ain't no crops no more Only the tombstones growing there and that's due to this war Well one thing 'bout slavery and that I understand Just 'cos a man ain't wearing chains Don't make him less than a man Man was born oh yeah Man was born to be free Just like he takes a stand, just like my brothers and me |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Bridget Date: 15 Feb 11 - 11:48 AM Thank you! That sounds like it could be it! I could have sworn that it had Liliburlero on it though. Know of any good recordings of the American Civil War version? I can only find the English and Irish versions. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Ebbie Date: 06 Feb 11 - 02:08 PM I posted this on a May 2005 thread but I still think it is one of the most powerful songs of the era. Write a Letter to My Mother E. Bowers 1864 Raise me in your arms, my brother Let me see the glorious sun I am very faint and dying Was the battle lost, or won? I remember you, my brother, Who sent to me that fatal dart Brother fighting, yea, against brother Perhaps 'tis best that thus we part Chorus: Write a letter to my mother, Tell her that her boy is dead. That he perished by his brother, Not a word of that be said Father's fighting for the Union You may meet him on the field Would you raise your arm and smite him Would you bid your father yield? He who loved us in our childhood Taught the infant prayers we said Brother, take from me this warning I'd sooner be among the dead Do you ever think of Mother, In our home within the glen, Watching, praying for her children, Would you see that home again? Brother, I am surely dying. Keep the secret, for 'tis one That would kill our angel mother, If she but knew what you have done, |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lonesome EJ Date: 06 Feb 11 - 11:38 AM See also this old thread with the same title. I believe I started it right after the actual American Civil War. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 06 Feb 11 - 08:38 AM Maudlin sentimentality about doomed young boys and their aged mothers was to the pop music of the 1860s what rage and craziness are today. People couldn't get enough. The war itself had something to do with this, but much American popular culture was incredibly mawkish throughout most of the century. Part of the reason was a belief that being made to weep for imaginary characters was good for you. It led to a greater concern for others, and there were spiritual benefits too: the vivid awareness of piteous mortality turned people toward God. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Bobert Date: 05 Feb 11 - 10:54 PM BTW, for going back 30 or so years (okay, maybe 40...) I been doing a song entitled "Drummer Boy"... I got it off an 'ol' LP by an obscure southern band, Heartsfield... Don't know much about it's origin but it was attributed to a Fred Dobbs... Mighty fine Civil War song if anyone can find it some where... B~ |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: JohnInKansas Date: 05 Feb 11 - 09:28 PM While there are many songs from the Civil War era that are known to have been enjoyed by the participants, I've come across four or five books apparently published in that era that imply that music was popular, but lots of the music "never quite made the big time." A comment above is applicable: The American Civil War provided some of the sloppiest, most sentimental songs! ... My working theory is that with all the men gone (except perhaps the preacher), when the ladies ran out of sheets to roll into bandages a fair number of them turned to "writing songs." Lyrics that I've seen are comparable to the "boilerplate" poems found in small-town church bulletins, and several bear close resemblance to "inspirational messages" currently in circulation in email chain letters. Some of the war era lyrics may be the same texts found in some of the current chain letters, although I almost never read the emails so I don't have samples for comparison. A couple of the books have had individual songs noted as "performed by Mrs (the composer) for the Ladies of the (local church circle or troop support group) on (some date)" - which may be suspected of being the one and only performance ever. (Although we may be sure that the ladies all applauded - politely.) It is a bit surprising that there apparently was a "vanity press" industry to support self-publishing of books, and particularly of music books; but a few of them appeared to be fairly well put together. I would not have expected most local print shops to have type adequate to setting music, but some of the composers may have been in larger cities with access to established book publishers willing to make a buck. Most of the ones I've seen (generally in antique shops) have been "flipped through" and put back in the pile, but I think I may still have one that looked like it might be worth the $2 price asked. Closer examination at home found it slightly below the "artistic level" of a couple of political "Campaign Songbooks" I've come across from around the same era. I think "maudlin'" is a fair assessment. If I eventually get to unpacking a box that the book that I think I kept happens to be in I may be able to pull out some samples; but that will depend on which of my several dozen remaining unmarked "book boxes" it may pop out of, and when, and on whether my "archiving machines" haven't worn out by the time I get to it. Has anyone else run across - and kept - similar worthless trash? John |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Lighter Date: 05 Feb 11 - 07:59 PM Is it this? (At least it has "Pat Murphy" and "Roll Alabama.") http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=1080 If not, about when did you hear it? There was a National Geographic collection of Civil War music, but it didn't have any of the three songs you mention. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Bridget Date: 05 Feb 11 - 06:31 PM Hello everyone, When I was young, my father borrowed a record from the library (and dubbed it)of Civil War music as performed by various folk musicians of the sixties. I have been searching for it for some time now, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it. The only songs I can clearly remember being on it where "Roll Alabama", "Lilliburlero", and a version of "Pat Murphy of The Irish Brigade" sung by a woman. My father claims that it was put out by National Geographic, but I have had no luck finding any info on it. This album was a huge part of my childhood, and I would love to add it to my Civil War music collection. If anyone has any info on it, I would love to hear it! Thank you! |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 03 Feb 08 - 07:37 PM The sheet music by Kittredge at both American Memory and Levy Collection. Title- "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," 1864. Remained popular for many years; it is in "Heart Songs" and was sung during WW1. In the DT |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Herga Kitty Date: 03 Feb 08 - 07:26 PM Just before the battle, mother. And Sullivan's farewell - not a song at the time, but a musical setting by Les Sullivan of Sullivan Ballou's farewell to his wife and family.... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 03 Feb 08 - 07:12 PM Tenting Tonight by Walter Kittredge 1863. Many are the hearts that are weary tonight waiting for the war to cease. Many are the hearts looking for the right to see the dawn of peace. I find those the most moving anti-war lyrics I have ever seen. http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/tenting.html scroll down past the genealogy ad |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 03 Feb 08 - 04:01 PM Ballads and Songs of the Civil War, Jerry Silverman, Mel Bay Co., also has Overtures from Richmond. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Jim Carroll Date: 03 Feb 08 - 02:41 PM Came across this in an old copy of Sing Out: might interest someone as much as it did me. Jim Carroll HERITAGE U.S.A.1 Two Civil War Songs The Civil War produced a vast amount of music - popular and folk song, marching songs and patriotic songs, and a large number of propa¬ganda pieces on both sides. In 1961 the country will commence centennial commemorations of the great conflict, and more attention than ever before will be focused on the songs of the Civil War. Here is a song which should be of particular interest to folk song lovers — both for subject matter, musical tradition, and, especially, authorship. The lyricist for "Overtures from Richmond" was the great folklorist, Professor Francis James Child, best-known as the editor of the classic work in Anglo-Saxon ballad tradition, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads Interestingly enough, the great "folk purist" borrowed a traditional air for his 'words and penned a topical song of his period in a manner not unlike topical balladeers a century later. Politically, Child was a radical, one of the outspoken advocates of a forthright "Abolitionist" policy in the early years of the war. As editor of a song pam¬phlet, War Songs for Freeman, Child attempted to develop national loyalty and support for Emancipation with more than a score of propaganda songs many of them parodies to traditional airs. "Overtures from Richmond" was written by Child to the familiar tune of "Lilliburlero," believed to have been composed by Henry Purcell sometime around 1686. "Lilliburlero" is one of the most famous political songs in English song literature, written as a broad satire on the policies of James The significance of the lyrics comes from the fear of many Unionists at the possibility of "peace overtures" from Richmond the Confederate capi¬tal, which would result in a "compro¬mise" solution of the war leaving slavery intact. Child ardent aboli¬tionist that he was, tried to show that no compromise was possible with the Confederate leaders. This song, with more than 100 others, will appear in a forthcoming collection of Civil War songs put to¬gether by SING OUT editor, Irwin Silber, scheduled for summer or fall publication by Columbia University Press Overtures from Richmond "Well Uncle Sam," says Jefferson D., Lilliburlero, Old Uncle Sam. "You'll have to join my Confederacy Lilliburlero, Old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, that don't appear oh, That don't appears2, says old Uncle Sam, "Lero, lero, filibustero. That don't appear", says old Uncle Sam "Then you must pay me national debts," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, "No questions asked about my assets," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, that's very dear, Oh, that's very dear," says old Uncle Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero, That's very dear," says old Uncle Sam. "So, Uncle Sam, just lay down your arms," Lilliburlero old Uncle Sam, "Then you shall hear my reas'nable terms," Lilliburlero old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, I'd like to hear Oh, I'd like to hear," says old Uncle. Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero I'd like to hear," says old Uncle Sam. "First you must own I've beat you in fight," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, "Then that I always have been in the right," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, rather severe Oh, rather severe," says old Uncle Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero, Rather severe," says old Uncle Sam. "Also some few IOU's and bets," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam "Mine, and Bob Toombs', and' Sidell's and Rhett's," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, that leaves me zero, That leaves me zero," says Uncle Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero, That leaves me zero," says Uncle Sam~ "And by the way, one little thing more, Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, "You're to refund the costs of the war,' Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, just what I fear, Oh, just what I fear," says old Uncle Sam "Lero, lero filibustero, Just what I hear," says old Uncle Sam. "Next, you must own our Cavalier blood!" Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, "And that your Puritans sprang from the mud!" Lilliburlero old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, that mud is clear Oh, that mud is clear," says old Uncle Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero, That mud is clear," says old Uncle Sam. "Slavery's, of course, the chief corner-stone," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, "Of our new ci-vi-li-za-tion!" Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, that's quite sincere Oh, that's quite sincere," says old Uncle Sam "Lero, lero, filibustero, That's quite sincere," says old Uncle Sam. "You'll understand my recreant tool," Lilliburlero, old' Uncle Sam, "You're to submit, and we are to rule," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, aren't you a hero! Aren't you a hero," says Uncle Sam, "Lero, lero, filibustero, Aren't you a hero," says Uncle Sam. "If to these terms you fully consent," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam, I'll be perpetual King-President," Lilliburlero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, take your sombrero, Off to your swamps," says old Uncle Sam "Lero lero, filibustero, Cut, double quick!" says old Uncle Sam. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Feb 08 - 08:30 PM In the list of Civil War Songs by Stephen Collins Foster given by Masato is "We Are Coming, Father Abraam." There is some confusion about this famous song. It is understandable. In 1862, several people wrote words or lyrics to that title, or attached their name to the words of an anon. poem in the New York Evening Post, including William Cullen Bryant. The only sheet music set with the spelling 'Abraam' is the one by Foster (Getze used 'Abra'am.') The words were set to music by Steven Collins Foster and published in 1862 by S. T. Gordon NY. Gibbons is not credited in the Gordon printing. The poem had appeared in the NY Evening Post without attribution. It may have been a few months before his identity became known. See post by Masato in thread 46204: We Are Coming Several others wrote music to the lyrics by Gibbons and others, also in 1862. Various of these are in American Memory, but the music by Foster is the memorable composition. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Melissa Date: 02 Feb 08 - 04:17 PM Bob Dyer recorded a couple Civil War cds. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Feb 08 - 03:05 PM Many versions of the "Rebel Soldier," including the earliest in print, "The Rebel Prisoner," are included in thread 50984: Rebel Soldier "The Rebel Prisoner," with verse about Mollie, appeared in F. D. Allan, 1874, "Allan's Lone Star Ballads, A Collection of Southern Patriotic Songs Made During Confederate Times," Burt Franklin, New York. The story of this little volume is worth repeating. During the occupation following the war, a Major G. W. Smith and Federal soldiers, at Brenham, Texas, burned all of the property of Francis Allan, including the first essay of his volume of ballads. Luckily, Allan persisted, and, in his 'Compiler's Notice,' says, "...at last he has the pleasure of offering his little book to the kind regards of all who may think worthy of consideration and preservation the songs so often "sung around the camp-fires" by companions-in-arms who have "fought their last battle" and "passed over the river" from their sight forever." On the title page, Allan quotes Montesquieu: "Let me write the Ballads of a Nation and I care not who makes the Laws." "The Bonny Blue Flag" by Harry Macarthy has more verses, left out of the post by Amos (above), the DT, and thread 33188. I will add the full version from "Allan's Lone Star Ballads" later today to thread 33188: Bonny Blue Flag" The reprint by Lenox Hill should be added to any collection of Civil War songs. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Feb 08 - 02:27 PM When the Roses Bloom Again- Austin T. Turner, 1876 When the Roses Bloom Again- Wilderman and Drumheller 1883 When the Roses Bloom- James M. Sayles, 1875 When the Roses Bloom No More- Gustavus Geary 1881 When the Roses Bloom in Spring- Stephe H. Bonbright 1884 So easy to look up and check the sheet music, which for the above are at American Memory. Why guess? I'll Be with You When the Roses Bloom Again- Cobb & Edwards 1901 Levy Collection |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Charley Noble Date: 02 Feb 08 - 01:59 PM Going 'Cross the Mountains (Oh, fare ye well) as sung by Frank Profett is another good Civil War era song from the Appalachians. I also find the Robin and Linda Williams 1970's song "Murders on the Columbia Plateau" particularly chilling, as it paints such a clear picture of the Civil War reprisals between neighbors during this period, and their unending thirst for vengeance. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: oldhippie Date: 02 Feb 08 - 01:49 PM JOHNNY REB (Merle Kilgore) © '60 Fort Knox Music, BMI / Shelby Singleton Music, BMI / Trio Music, BMI / Cedarwdood Publishing, BMI Yeah you fought all the way Johnny Reb Johnny Reb You fought all the way Johnny Reb I saw you a marchin' with Robert E Lee You held your head high tryin' to win the victory You fought for you folks but you didn't die in vain And even though you lost they speak highly of your name You fought all the way... I heard your teeth chatter from the cold outside Saw the bullets open up the wounds in your side Saw the young boys when they began to fall There were tears in your eyes but you couldn't help at all You fought all the way... I saw General Lee raise a sabre in his hand Heard the cannons roar as you made your last stand You marched into battle with the Grey and the Red When the smoke cleared away it took days to count the dead Cause you fought all the way... And when President Lincoln heard the news of your fall Everyone said there'd be a victory ball But he asked the band if they would play dixie For you Johnny Reb and for what you believed Cause you fought all the way... Yeah you fought all the way... |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: SouthernCelt Date: 02 Feb 08 - 10:39 AM An interesting bit of additional info on "Bonnie Blue Flag": While it was written by McCarthy, he didn't complete it until all the dust had settled with secession which didn't occur for several months after South Carolina went out. He premiered the first version of the song at the celebration in Jackson, MS when the vote to secede had been taken. In the version sung today, there's a glaring error that most Mississippians interested in local/state history know, that being that Mississippi was the second state to secede not the third. Mississippi preceded Alabama by a slight amount of time. When I occasionally do the song, it is usually for Mississippians so I change the order of the states to put Mississippi in the right place. Otherwise...where's Jed Marum in this thread? A lot of his career has been built around the war both original war period songs and new stuff he's written (some of which is better than original period songs in my opinion). One of my top favorites is "Monaghan's Lament". SC |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: Charley Noble Date: 02 Feb 08 - 09:32 AM Here's the cmplete track list for album THE CIVIL WAR: Through Its Ballads and Songs, © Heirloom records, 1961, recorded and sung by Bill Bonyun in collaboration with folksong collector Frank Warner and a host of others: In the Wilderness Old Abe Lincoln The Dissolution Wagon John Brown of Massachusetts The Union Volunteer Song of the Mississippi Volunteer Aileen Aroon - Treasure of My heart Southern Yankee Doodle Shiloh's Hill The New Ballad of Lord Lovell O Johny Bull My Jo John The Homespun Dress We Have the Navy Maryl;and, My Maryland General Lee's Wooing Auction Block The First of Arkansas Riding a Raid The Vacant Chair A life on the Vicksburg Bluff Sherman's March to the Sea Grant's the Man Roll Alabama Roll The Old Unreconstructed Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: GUEST,Wayne Date: 02 Feb 08 - 08:21 AM Abraham's Daughters is a corker. Three Pressed Men recorded it on their Plain English album. Does anybody else remember Paul Kennerley's White Mansions. It's a really affecting concept album following a soldier from either side through the war. Not sure whether it's available on cd. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: masato sakurai Date: 02 Feb 08 - 06:02 AM S.C. Foster's Civil War songs searched for at the Levy Collection are: That's What's the Matter We've a Million in the Field Was My Brother in the Battle? Bring My Brother Back To Me. [Honor to the Brave!] My Boy is Coming From the War Nothing But a Plain Old Soldier. Patriotic Ballad. A Soldier in de Colored Brigade When This War is Ended We Are Coming Father Abraam, 300,000 More Willie Has Gone To The War. Song & Chorus Oh! Meet Me Dear Mother For the Dear Old Flag I Die Better Days Are Coming Stephen Foster - Civil War Songs / Linda Russell, Et Al [CD] contains 18 songs. |
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Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War From: The Walrus Date: 02 Feb 08 - 04:50 AM Looking through earlier therads I'v found the following version of 'Cheer, boys, Cheer' CHEER,BOYS, CHEER (Song of the Citizen Guards) Adapted by J. Val. Cowling (1861) Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll march away to battle Cheer, boys, cheer, for our sweethearts, Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll nobly do our duty, And give to Kentucky Our hearts, our arms, our lives. Bring forth the flag, Kentucky's noble standard. Wave it on high till wind shake each fold out, Proudly it floats, nobly waving in the vangard Then Cheer, boys, cheer with a lusty, long, bold shout. Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll march away to battle heer, boys, cheer, for our sweethearts, Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll nobly do our duty, And give to Kentucky Our hearts, our arms, our lives. But though we march with heads all lowly bending, Let us implore ablessing from on high, Our cause is just, the right from wrong defending And the God of battles will listen to our cry. Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll march away to battle heer, boys, cheer, for our sweethearts, Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll nobly do our duty, And give to Kentucky Our hearts, our arms, our lives. Though to our homes we never may return, Ne'er press again our loved ones in our arms, O'er our lone graves their faithful hearts will mourn Then cheer up, boys cheer, such death hath no alarms Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll march away to battle heer, boys, cheer, for our sweethearts, Cheer, boys, cheer, we'll nobly do our duty, And give to Kentucky Our hearts, our arms, our lives. I understand that this version was extended to embrace the whole of the South. I seem to recall reading that there was also a version popular with the Union forces - Does any one have the words please? There is a similar song which was the 'Hit' song of the British Army in the Crimea, which, as it seems to be about emigration to Canada, doubtless it would also have been known to a number of the British immigrants in the combatant forces. CHEER, BOYS, CHEER! (Words: C Mackay. Music: H Russell) Cheer, boys, cheer! No more of idle sorrow. Courage, true hearts, shall bear us on our way. Hope points before, and shows the bright tomorrow, Let us forget the darkness of today. So farewell, England, much as we may love thee. We'll dry the tears that we have shed before. Why should we weep, who sail in search of fortune? So farewell, England. Farewell for evermore! Cheer, boys, cheer! For country, mother country. Cheer, boys, cheer! The willing strong right hand. Cheer, boys, cheer! There's wealth for honest labour. Cheer, boys, cheer! For the new and happy land. Cheer, boys, cheer! The steady breeze is blowing, To float us freely o'er the ocean's breast. The world shall follow in the track we're going. The star of empire glitters in the west. Here we had toil and little to reward it, But there shall plenty smile upon our pain. And ours shall be the prairie and the forest, And boundless meadows, ripe with golden grain. Cheer, boys, cheer! For country, mother country, Cheer, boys, cheer! For united heart and hand. Cheer, boys, cheer! There's wealth for honest labour. Cheer, boys, cheer! For the new and happy land. Just my two penn'orth Walrus |
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