Lyr Add: Battle of Bull Run (Galusha/Brand)

Subject: Lyr Add: Galusha/Brand 'Battle of Bull Run'
From: Lighter
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 11:00 AM

DT includes an isolated stanza collected by the Warners from Civil-War veteran John Galusha about the Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861:


This day will be remembered by America's noble sons.
If it hadn't been for Irishmen, what would our Union have done?
'Twas hand to hand we fought 'em, all in the broiling sun,
When stripped to the pants we did advance at the Battle of Bull Run.


I once asked on another thread if anybody could recall the expanded version created in the 1960s by Oscar Brand. Evidently nobody could. I heard it on his radio show in 1966 or '67,, but I don't believe he ever recorded it.

Here's the rest of what I can remember, tinkered with in brackets to fill in the gaps. Sing it if you want to.


McDowell was our commander [he was gallant, brave, and true,
As fine a Yankee officer as ever wore the blue.
The cry was "On to Richmond!", and you never saw such fun],
When stripped to the pants we did advance at the battle of Bull Run.

The Stone Bridge was their standing place, but still we did advance.
We marched across the open field, everything left to chance.
The rebels will never forget us, and the wonderful race we run,
When stripped to the pants we did advance at the battle of Bull Run.

So here's to old McDowell, he fought among the best.
And here's to the Yankee infantry, artillery, and the rest!
And don't you forget the Irishmen and the wonderful deeds they done,
When stripped to the pants we did advance at the battle of Bull Run.


In folk fashion, Brand doesn't mention that the battle ended in a turnaround Union rout any more than Galusha did. Or that army commander McDowell showed himself inept on more than one occasion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Galusha/Brand 'Battle of Bull Run'
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 06:22 PM

Here is Tom Hall (Curmudgeon) singing it for Joe Stead a few months before Tom's voice disappeared.

Linn

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Galusha/Brand 'Battle of Bull Run'
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 06:39 PM

Did we forget something?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Galusha/Brand 'Battle of Bull Run'
From: Lighter
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 06:44 PM

Thanks Bat Goddess and Jeri. It's here, and nicely done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJYwLxFONc

Tom's tune is just slightly different from the one I know. The "folk process."

Am sorry to hear Tom lost his voice. The clip could have been Yankee John himself.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Battle of Bull Run (Galusha/Brand)
From: Lighter
Date: 12 Dec 13 - 11:36 AM

Perhaps this song from 1861 inspired Galusha's. Ye olde Folk process.

It too is about the Irish at Bull Run; the attitude and the meter are right, and it has the somewhat unusual characteristic of an internal rhyme in several fourth lines. Four of those fourth lines (including the memorably colloquial finale) end in the phrase "the battle of Bull Run":

                         BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

Our gallant soldiers they are going to leave their friends to mourn.
To watch and pray both night and day their quick and safe return.
We are going to face the enemy and put rebellion down,
May we return victoriously and wear a laurel crown.

Our gallant soldiers they are going to fight a glorious cause,
To defend the Flag and Union, the Government and its Laws.
Kind fortune smile upon our brow wherever we may go,
We will never yield upon the field to any mortal foe.

Our gallant soldiers, they are going to the battle-field of fame.
To defend the glorious stars and stripes and put to flight with shame.
Each proud secession leader, with bayonet, sword and gun,
And to make him pay severely for the battle of Bull Run.

The gallant Fire Zouaves they fought like lions brave,
Likewise the Massachusetts boys most manfully behaved;
The gallant 27th their foes they did not shun,
But the glorious 69th, was the terror of Bull Run.

Long life to Gen. Meagher, that Irish blood of fame,
Who wore the harp and shamrock upon the battle plain;
Who, said unto his gallant men, "remember Fontenoy,"
Then the whole at large with bayonets charged, their foes they did
deploy.

When the gallant Col. Corcoran lay prostrate on the ground,
Weary and fatigued, and exhausted from his wounds,
He said unto his gallant men, brave boys I am not undone.
We will make them pay some other day for the battle of Bull Run.

Over ten long hours we had fought against an enemy,
Of four to one a fearful odds of men, we could not see.
Until among our teamsters a panie had begun,
Then we did retreat but were not beat at the battle of Bull Run.

A. W. AUNER, SONG PUBLISHER, 110 N. 10th St., ab Arch, Philadelphia.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Battle of Bull Run (Galusha/Brand)
From: Lighter
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 09:35 AM

Yankee John's tune is an easily recognizable variant of "Paddies Evermore."


http://www.tunearch.org/wiki/Paddys_Evermore