Songs of the American Civil War

Subject: Songs of the American Civil War
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:52 PM

Songs of the American civil war are, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful, stirring songs ever written.I would love to obtain more of these songs.One example is one of the saddest, yet most beautiful tribute ever written to a fallen soldier.From the digitrad, "The Vacant Chair":    THE VACANT CHAIR

    Introduction: During the Civil War, Lt. John William Grout was killed in battle at Balls Bluff, Virginia. His absence from his family's next thanksgiving, inspired ...

    THE VACANT CHAIR
    (Song is sung to the tune ...LIFE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN RAILROAD.)

    1. We shall meet, but we shall miss him
    There will be one vacant chair
    We shall linger to caress him
    While we breathe our evening prayer;
    When a year ago we gathered joy was in his mild blue eye,
    But a golden chord is severed and our hopes in ruin lie.

    CHORUS: We shall meet, but we shall miss him
    There will be one vacant chair
    We shall linger to caress him
    While we breathe our evening prayer

    2. At our fireside, sad and lonely,
    Often will the bosom swell,
    At remembrance of the story
    How our noble Willie fell;
    How he strove to bear our banner
    Though the thickest of the fight,
    And uphold our country's honor
    In the strength of manhood's right.

    3. True they tell us wreaths of glory
    Ever more will deck his brow,
    But this soothes the anguish only
    Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now.
    Sleep today, oh early fallen,
    In thy green and narrow bed,
    Dirges from the pine and cypress,
    Mingle with the tears we shed.

    Performed by the Hemrick Family Singers on Heritage Records "Memories of Home"

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: kimsky
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 05:57 PM

I've heard nothing quite like Wendy and Paul Arrowsmith and their version of 'the Southern Girl's reply' - I don't think they've recorded it yet, but hearing it live is something to behold!
(time for a bit of pressure to get it down on a hard copy I feel!)

Subject: Lyr Add: LORENA (H.D.L. Webster)
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:18 PM

THE song from the Confederate troops:

LORENA
(H.D.L. Webster)

The years creep slowly by, Lorena,
The snow is on the grass again;
The sun's low down the sky, Lorena,
The frost gleams where the flowers have been.
But the heart throbs on as warmly now
As when the summer days were nigh;
Oh, the sun can never dip so low
A-down affection's cloudless sky.

A hundred months have passed, Lorena,
Since last I held that hand in mine,
And felt the pulse beat fast, Lorena,
Though mine beat faster far than thine.
A hundred months---'twas flowery May,
When up the hilly slope we climbed,
To watch the dying of the day
And hear the distant church bells chime.
We loved each other then, Lorena,
More than we ever dared to tell;
And what we might have been, Lorena,
Had but our loving prospered well!
But then, 'tis past; the years have gone,
I'll not call up their shadowy forms ;
I'll say to them, "Lost years, sleep on,
Sleep on, nor heed life's pelting storms'"

The story of the past, Lorena,
Alas! I care not to repeat;
The hopes that could not last, Lorena,
They lived, but only lived to cheat.
I would not cause e'en one regret _
To rankle in your bosom now---
"For if we try we may forget,"
Were words of thine long years ago.

Yes, these were words of thine, Lorena---
They are within my memory yet.
They touched some tender chords, Lorena,
Which thrill and tremble with regret.
'Twas not the woman's heart which spoke-
Thy heart was always true to me;
A duty stern and piercing broke
The tie which linked my soul with thee.

It matters little now, Lorena,
The past is in the eternal past;
Our hearts will soon lie low, Lorena,
Life's tide is ebbing out so fast.
There is a future, oh, thank God!
Of life this is so small a part---
'Tis dust to dust beneath the sod.
But there, up there, 'tis heart to heart.

The American Civil War provided some of the sloppiest, most sentimental songs! "Tenting Tonight" "All Quiet Along the Potomac" "Faded Coat of Blue" -- oy.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:21 PM

Thank you Kimsky, the cheques in the post!

It is a great song....and would be hard to ruin, even with a banjo!

Paul

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: peregrina
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:33 PM

When the Roses Bloom Again

(definitely Southern and old-time but is it from the civil war era?)

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:49 PM

Rebel Soldier,available on my new cd Concertinas and.http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:50 PM

Hey Rap.....Lorena was actually not all that southern and as a matter of fact was written (words) by a good Ohio reared boy of a lass he loved in Zanesville.   She eventually lived out her life down in Lawrence County. Here's some neat info from the Lawrence County history page written by the nephew of the man who wrote the lyrics, H.D.L.Webster:

LORENA
Lorena was a popular Civil War song. The lady for whom it was written lived in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio.
Daily Oregon Statesman, January 14, 1906
By Dan. Webster
Submitted by: Martha J. Kounse

Perhaps one of the most popular of ante-war songs was "Lorena." The song has a history - in fact, several of them, no two alike, and yet, all claiming to be authentic. One of the most romantic of these histories was given to the public by Col. John A. Joyce, through the columns of the Washington Post, a few years ago. According to Col. Joyce the song was written by the Rev. Homer Webster, a son of the south; that it was written during the Civil war; that he was at one time pastor of a church in Pittsburgh; that he had as a member of his congregation a wealthy glass manufacturer, who had a lovely daughter named Lorena; that the young minister loved said daughter, and that she returned the affection, in short, that they mutually loved each other; that to satisfy her dying father, and persistent proud mother, she drowned the love of her soul, and tearfully married a millionaire; that soon after he left the chilling blasts of the north, drifted to Georgia and there enlisted in support of the "stars and bars," where he tried to forget his sorrows, but without avail, as was evident by the said song.

Now, in all of the above there are but two minor facts, and they are, the author was a clergyman and his name was Webster, but Henry D. L. Webster instead of Homer. Neither was he a "son of the south," having been born in central New York, in 1824, of New England parents, who, in 1828 moved to northern Ohio and settled near Elyria, Lorain county. Here, in a pioneer log cabin the boy was reared to manhood, often assisting his father, who was a blacksmith, in his shop. Having met with an accident, which permanently crippled his right hand, he turned his attention to the matter of fitting himself for teaching, and by dint of perseverance and strict economy, acquired an academic education. After teaching a short time, principally in Kentucky, he entered a law office in Columbus, Ohio, with a view of entering that profession. But becoming interested in a theological discussion between an orthodox and a Universalistic divine; he became a convert of the latter faith, and gave up the law for the ministry in the Universalistic denomination, which was a sad blow to his aged mother, who was a very strict, consistent member of the Methodist church. The matter, however, set her to thinking and in a year or so she too, became an avowed believer in universal salvation, and was ever proud of her "preacher boy."

Now, as to the true story of "Lorena," I will say that I write from the knowledge of the facts gained from a long acquaintance and association with the author, Rev. H. D. L. Webster, who was an uncle of mine, being my father's youngest brother, and but nine years my senior. His first pastorate was in Zanesville, Ohio. There he be acquainted with a Miss Ella Blocksom, which acquaintance ripened into a mutual attachment and engagement. A wealthy married sister, with whom the girl made her home, had higher notions for her than that she should marry a poor preacher, and broke the engagement. The girl afterward married a young lawyer who became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Hon. W. W. Johnson. (note from Sharon - William Wartenbee Johnson was a lawyer and judge in Ironton, Ohio) "Thus proving," as the Rev. Webster afterward said, "the woman's better sense as to the affair." Mr. Webster himself, soon afterward married, and if the episode with the Zanesville girl ever caused him much sorrow, none of his family ever suspected it.

In 1853-4 he was pastor of a congregation in Warren, Mass. In March of the latter year he wrote the song, using the name Bertha, which was published in a Boston paper. In 1858 he occupied the pulpit in the Universalistic church in Racine, Wisconsin. Here he formed the acquaintance of J. P. Webster, who was then a popular composer of music, and under contract with Higgins Bros., of Chicago, to furnish them all the music he should compose, at a stipulated price. The preacher showed the verses to J. P. Webster, who, after reading them, asked permission to take them along with him, which was readily granted. It was then about 11 p.m., but before morning the music, as later published, was virtually completed, as the author afterward said "a case of inspiration." There was one thing, however, that troubled him, and that was the name. He wanted a name of three syllables; and appealed to the author of the words to help find one suitable for the occasion. They together spent nearly as much time in finding a suitable name as the author had in writing the music. Finally, as if by inspiration, the name Lorena was suggested and adopted. It was first published by Higgins Brothers of Chicago, in 1857, and met with an almost unprecedented sale, the publishers making many thousands of dollars from its circulation. The price paid to J. P. Webster for writing it was the paltry sum of $25. Thus was given to the world a song of sentiment equal to Annie Laurie, and which during the Civil War was sung in the armies of both north and south, in fact, in all parts of the country. The only drawback to its popularity was its length, being composed of six stanzas of eight lines each.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:24 PM

"Lorena": a most beautiful song, Rapaire. I have heard it(sung by
John Hartford, I believe), but I only remember a bit of the melody.
Wonderful info on the song, catspaw49! Thanks to all.Keep 'em coming, if possible.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:27 PM

I've decided that my sesquicentennial niche for Civil War Anniversary is the Undertaker/Embalmer aspect. The three tidbits I find most interesting (so far) are:

1. The folks in charge were surprised to discover that nearly everybody wanted their boys sent home for a decent burial. They had thought only the wealthier families would want that.
2. Embalming was not considered an acceptable process (defilement) until the CW made it necessary to transport bodies a distance. As I understand it, the main (possibly only) embalmer of the time traveled with the main battles and worked for both sides.
3. Goodyear made a rubber tube for transport. It was filled with air and sealed, which was non-shifting and stackable .

Sorry for slipping off-song.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:33 PM

Is this the song you meant, peregrina, or was it "When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland"?
              
When the Roses Bloom Again


They were strolling in the gloaming
Where the roses were in bloom
A soldier and his sweetheart brave and true
And their hearts were filled with sorrow
For their thoughts were of tomorrow
As she pinned a rose upon his coat of blue

Do not ask me love to linger
When you know not what to say
For duty calls your sweetheart's name again
And your heart need not be sighing
If I be among the dying
I'll be with you when the roses bloom again

When the roses bloom again
Beside the river
And the mockingbird has sung his sweet refrain
In the days of auld lang syne
I'll be with you sweetheart mine
I'll be with you when the roses bloom again

Mid the rattle of the battle
Came a whisper soft and low
A soldier who had fallen in the fray
I am dying, I am dying
And I know I'll have to go
But I want to tell you
Before I pass away

There's a far and distant river
Where the roses are in bloom
A sweetheart who is waiting there for me
And it's there I pray you take me
I've been faithful, don't forsake me
I'll be with her when the roses bloom again

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:46 PM

Repetition here-

tar heel posted Vacant Chair in thread 18869 a few years back and it is also in the DT. Vacant Chair

Peregrina, sheet music for "When the Roses Bloom Again" seems to be from the 1870's. Couldn't find an earlier date.

Lorena was popular on both sides. See lyrics and discussion, thread 31209: Lorena

In American Memory, click on Music and enter Civil War Songs. Several pages of titles linked to sheet music or song sheets will be found.

Mudcat thread 8916 has some Civil War songs, lists many, but mostly is comment. Civil War Songs

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 08:04 PM

Here's a nice video of John Hartford doing Lorena.

Here's one of Vacant Chair not sure who is singing it...maybe Tennessee Ernie Ford?

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 08:22 PM

Not truly a Civil War song but one with lyrics often changed (the gallant Hood of Texas played hell in Tennessee) but here's a tearjerker rendition of "Yellow Rose of Texas"......tearjerking for two of the group many of us really loved, Hoyt Axton and John Hartford......The Yellow Rose of Texas

Kat....Try Kathy Mattea's rendition of The Vacant Chair

And yeah.....I know we're covering a lot of old ground but we tend to do that a lot and sometimes I find it easier to just go along or let it go along as bitch about it. On the other hand......I just ran across something that I need to go find an old thread to post.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 08:37 PM

This thread quickly caught my eye because (at the risk of sounding commercial) our band ShoreGrass put out a recording of "Songs of the Civil War Era" which you can hear 2-minute samples of at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/shoregrass

In preparation for a program at our local library, I spent several months researching these wonderful old songs and became immersed in the music for awhile. The resulting live concert was recorded, and that's what is on our CD. Almost all the songs mentioned above are included. One of the best resources I found for background on the songs was a book called "Songs of the Civil War" compiled and edited by Irwin Silber. Fantastic stories, amazing songs.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 08:44 PM

Topical Tom-

And I'll be interested in whatever else you can dig up, some of which has been buried for years in old threads here at Mudcat.

One of my mentors Bill Bonyun collaborated with folksong collector Frank Warner to produce a recorded title THE CIVIL WAR, © Heirloom records, 1961. Some of my favorite cuts included:

The Union Volunteer
Shiloh's Hill
Riding a Raid
The Vacant Chair
The Old Unreconstructed Rebel (a variant of the original song composed by a member of General J.E.B. Stuart's staff.)

I have the original insert that went with this album which has the full lyrics and notes.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:27 PM

It would seem that "When The Roses Bloom Again Beside The River" may not be a civil war song. I saw one source crediting it to A. P. Carter.However, "When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland" may be a civil war song. I'm still looking.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Amos
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:35 PM

BONNY BLUE FLAG
(Harry McCarthy)

We are a band of brothers, native to the soil
Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil.
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far
"Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!"

cho: Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights, Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!"

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,
Like friends and brethren, kind were we, and just;
But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar,
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue flag that bears a single star.

First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand,
Then came Alabama and took her by the hand;
Next, quickly, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida,
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue flag that bears a single star.

Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right,
Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight;
Davis, our loved President, and Stephens statesmen are;
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

And here's to brave Virginia, the Old Dominion State.
With the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate.
Impelled by her example, now other States prepare
To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue flag that bears a single star.

Then here's to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave,
Like patriots of old we'll fight, our heritage to save.
And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer
So cheer for the Bonnie Blue flag that bears a single star.

Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a joyous shout
For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out;
And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven!

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:35 PM

Songs of the Civil War
National Geographic Society

side 1:
Dixie
Wait for the Wagon
I've Been in the Storm so Long
The Homespun Dress
Goober Peas
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Richmond Is a Hard Road to Travel

side 2:
The Southern Soldier Boy
Follow the Drinking Gourd
The Yellow Rose of Texas
Marching Through Georgia
The Battle of Shiloh Hill
The Rebel Soldier*
Year of Jubilo

*this is not the "will my soul pass through the Southland" song

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: topical tom
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:42 PM

"When The Roses Bloom Again Beside The River" was apparently written by Will D. Cobb and Gus Edwards.When I do not yet know.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:49 PM

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?

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:56 PM

And the above songs have what to do with the War?
About 'coloured folk'and slavery yes...but I don't see Foster in this list of popular Civil War songs.

Have a tissue honey.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Beer
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:57 PM

Tom.
Amos started a thread and the song "LORENA" is on it sung by Burl Ives and Johnny Cash.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:59 PM

TOM - The Library of Congress

memory.loc.gov/ammem/mussmhtml/mussmhome.html

MUSIC FOR THE NATION

Is probably the place you want to search.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: pdq
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:00 PM

Most of these songs are on a CD from Rural Rhythm called "Civil War Tribute Collection". Singer is Harold Thom from the Cumberland Trio, an early 60s folk group. The banjo is by Jim Smoak, a fine understated player. The fiddle and mando are by Michael Cleveland, who is brilliant. This is RHY-1027 (2005).

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:08 PM

Somewhere I found and wrote down that "When the Roses Bloom Again" was written by Cobb & Edwards in 1901. Don't remember the source. We included it in our CW program along with songs written before the war like Stephen Foster's "Hard Times" (1855) because these were pertinent to the era.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:14 PM

yeah..well, looking at old threads, I've found that once upon a time it was apparently possible for Mudcatters to converse without baiting, bashing and bastardizing.

Anyone using ANY thread should have sense enough to check and re-check whatever references were given. Presumably, most of us are also bright enough to judge for ourselves whether we find a post pointless and/or invalid.

I was looking forward to a non-contentious thread on a relatively interesting topic.
WHY IS THAT NOT ALLOWED?

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Beer
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:14 PM

I assure you "gargoyle", Tom is not nieve. He is very very genuine. Sure he may get hurt along the way, but don't we all?
And he will appreciate your heads up comment.
All the best .
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:15 PM

ah..so now the post that offended me is gone and I end up looking like a dumbass..

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 11:32 PM

Another Civil War site #1

Civil War site #2 Yes Foster is there.
#3

#4 and Foster has 4 songs there.

I'm just saying that Foster was hardly the main docuentratian songwriter of that war. There were others. Root, Work, Howe, Emmett et. al.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 11:58 PM

Thanks for the links, Spaw.

Barbara, you, too. I look forward to listening tomorrow.

Do any of you Civil War buffs know anything about a set of books which were published sometime near the late 19th or early 20th century which were about the Civil War? They were blue and evidently had photos of soldiers with info on battles, etc. My dad mentioned his family had and lost the set. The only thing he could remember was his granddad, the rebel spy and scout, was pictured in them, in disguise as a Union officer.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 12:11 AM

Kat, there are a lot of reprints of cw books available through reenactment suppliers. If you feel ambitious about looking for copies, you could probably snoop around online until you find a supplier that has a friendly-seeming page...and ask them about the books.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 12:41 AM

Thank you, Melissa. I figured those of you who are so knowledgeable about the music might have some ideas. Appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Songs of the American Civil War
From: Melissa
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 12:54 AM

Guest, Gargoyle,

You can't behave like a civil-tongued human because there are moderators who eliminate hateful posts?

I can't imagine what damage is done by leaving pleasant conversations alone to meander on their own--even if they don't meet your approval.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!