"Without music, there would be no Army".
Robert E. Lee said that, and he was right. Music was such a vital part to these years. Not only did the war shape the music of the 1860’s, but music shaped and uplifted soldiers in the war. Part of their gear always included their instruments, maybe a banjo, harmonica, fiddle or guitar. One soldier, Solomon Conn, used his violin as a journal, and wrote on the back of the wood a list of all the encounters he participated in. It was on exhibit at the American Smithsonian Museum, and you can actually look upon the scribbles on the still-beautiful musical instrument. (Click Here to see Solomon's violin)
The soldiers needed the music to keep them going, and they'd sing in a beautiful (and, sometimes off key) melody.
Interested in Civil War music, and not sure where to start?
Here's my top ten favorite Civil War songs. I love to pick up my violin and play them myself; and sometimes, I think I can hear the soldiers singing right along.
The Top Ten Civil War Songs
#10: Just Before the Battle, Mother
George F. Root was a famous song writer in the 1860's. He wrote many songs for the war, and he wrote "Just Before the Battle, Mother" in 1864. The lyrics are the thought pattern of a young man off to war. He regrets leaving his mother, and thinks soberly about his possible death. A very realistic song about how a young soldier looks at war.
George F. Root was a famous song writer in the 1860's. He wrote many songs for the war, and he wrote "Just Before the Battle, Mother" in 1864. The lyrics are the thought pattern of a young man off to war. He regrets leaving his mother, and thinks soberly about his possible death. A very realistic song about how a young soldier looks at war.
F arewell, mother you may never press me to your breast again; But oh, you'll not forget me, mother, if I'm numbered with the slain.
(Excerpts from the chorus)
#9: The Battle Cry of Freedom
George F. Root wrote this song in July of 1862. It was first performed at an attempt to gather troops—and was a favorite “rallying” song for the Union ever since.
Yes, we’ll rally round the flag, boys, Rally once again;
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
(Excerpt from the first verse)
#8: Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!
Also a George F. Root creation, "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" became well known in 1863. By then, prisons on both sides of the armies were full of men. This was written as an encouragement to troops being held prisoner. (You might recognize this tune; it is now called “Jesus Loves the Little Children”).
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, cheer up comrades, they will come;
And beneath the starry flag we shall breathe the air again of the free land in our own beloved home.
(Excerpt from the chorus)
#7: Kingdom’s Coming (Year of Jubilo)
In 1862, prior to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Henry Clay Work wrote a song for the Union. It was written in the eyes and language of a black slave. In the chorus, Work writes the feeling of a slave when “da massa” leaves the plantation for the Army:
Da Massa’s run, ha ha, and we vill stay, ho ho;
It must be so when kingdom’s coming in the Year of Jubilo!
(Excerpt from the chorus)
#6: Dixie
“Dixie” was always the anthem of the South; it was loved by Southern troops, and played at Jeff Davis’ inauguration. But what many don’t know is that this beautiful melody was actually written by a Northerner, and it was one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite songs! Dan Emmitt wrote it in 1859 for the (Northern) minstrel stage, and its melody still touches lives in the South.
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie’s land I’ve made my stand, to live and die in Dixie!
Away, Away, Away down south in Dixie!
(Excerpt from the chorus)
#5: Marching Through Georgia
Jay Ungar, an awesome fiddle player, played this song on his CD “Civil War Classics” and said that: “[This song] is detested by many in the South. It commemorates Sherman’s march, which did signal the end of the war in the South...” Some sing this song and celebrate, others hear a sorrowful memory. I like Ungar’s approach with playing it “from a lament to triumphant march and back again.”
Ring the good old bugles, boys, let’s sing another song;
Sing it with the spirit that will start the world along;
Sing it as we used to sing it 50,000 strong, while we were marching through Georgia!
(Excerpt from first verse)
#4: Tenting Tonight (On the Old Campground)
Walter C. Kitteridge was drafted into the Union Army in 1863. He was a singer by trade before that, so when he had to leave his small family, he wrote “Tenting Tonight” as a way to say goodbye. He was later denied as a soldier because of medical problems, but his song became a quick favorite among the troops.
Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, wishing for the war to cease;
Many are the hearts that are looking for the right to see the bond of peace.
Tenting tonight, tenting tonight, tenting on the old campground.
(Excerpts from the chorus)
#3: The Legend of the Rebel Soldier
This song is not as well known as the ones already discussed, (it’s actually from the 1970’s) but in the words, Charlie Moore artistically manages to display the thoughts and concerns of a dying Confederate soldier in prison. All he asks the parson (pastor) next to him is if his soul “will pass through the Southland”.
Will my soul pass through the Southland through old Virginia grand?
Will I see the hills of Georgia and the green fields of Alabam’?
Will I see that little church house, where I pledged my heart and hand
Oh Parson, tell me quickly, will my soul pass through the Southland?
(Excerpt from the second verse)
#2: When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Probably one of the best-known Civil War songs, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" was written in 1863 by Patrick Gilmore, a song to commemorate soldiers' returning home. Gilmore, supposedly, wrote it for his sister, who yearned for her fiancée’s (Johnny!) return from the Union Army (he did return, and they married in 1875). What a special song for an engagement!
The men will cheer, the boys will shout,
The ladies, they will all turn out and we’ll all feel gay [happy] when Johnny comes marching home!
(Excerpts from the first verse)
#1: The Battle Hymn of the Republic
"The Battle Hymn" has always been one of my favorite patriotic songs, and I was very excited to learn that it was actually written during the Civil War! It was originally another song called “John Brown’s Body”, which was taken from a Methodist hymn. When a friend suggested to Julia Ward Howe to change the words, she woke up the next morning with lyrics in her mind. Today it’s a beautiful, misunderstood hymn that shows how the Father really leads our country (see the verses). You can almost hear the soldiers marching to it as you play or just sing it.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
While God is marching on.
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
While God is marching on.
(Excerpt from the last verse)
So anyone up for a Civil War song jam-out? I'll bring the fiddle!!
*Click Here to hear most of these songs on Jay Ungar's CD--Civil War Classics--on YouTube
**Click on the links below to see full song lyrics
Sources:
http://citylitcivilwar.blogspot.com/2012/03/just-before-battle-mother.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Johnny_Comes_Marching_Home
Great post, Abbie! I love the pic of Solomon Conn's violin diary. When we get old documents in the store, I am often in awe of how beautiful the handwriting was back then :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I actually got to see the Conn violin on a recent trip to the Smithsonian, and it was one of my favorite sights of the entire day. As a violinist myself, it was especially touching when applying the Civil War to my life. :)
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