Just Before The Battle, Mother
Many songs were written during the 1800’s which were designed to bring an audience to tears. For soldiers far away from home and for the family members who stayed behind,
these songs helped express deeply felt emotions in an era when expressing your emotions outright was considered to be impolite or embarrassing. People usually held their emotions in and only allowed themselves to cry in private. Sad songs allowed people to express those emotions together in a socially acceptable way.
Though
best know for his exciting patriotic songs like “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” George F. Root was a master at writing sentimental songs. When asked about his inspiration for “Just Before The Battle, Mother,” he said:
“I wrote what I thought would then express the emotions of the soldiers or the people. Picturing the condition and thoughts of the soldier on the eve of an engagement.”
Just Before The Battle, Mother
George F. Root, 1863
Singer: John Kirk
1. Just before the battle, Mother,
I am thinking most of you,
While upon the field we’re watching
With the enemy in view.
Comrades brave are ‘round me lying,
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow
Some will sleep beneath the sod.
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again,
But, oh, you’ll not forget me, Mother,
If I’m numbered with the slain.
2. Hark! I hear the bugle calling,
Tis the signal for the fight.
Now, may God protect us, Mother,
As He ever does the right.
Hear “The Battle Cry Of Freedom,”
How it swells upon the air.
Oh, yes, we’ll rally ‘round The Standard,
Or we’ll perish nobly there.
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again,
But, oh, you’ll not forget me, Mother,
If I’m numbered with the slain.
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again,
But, oh, you’ll not forget me, Mother,
If I’m numbered with the slain.
A soldier commenting on the song said,
“I clearly remember how the boys used to sing it. In the dullness of camp and on long and weary marches it appeared to exert a helpful influence that no other song could. The words and music blended so well in days when many a boy in peril felt all the sentiments the song expressed. It became one of the great songs of the army."