Civil War Music Introduction

More of the music from the Civil War era has lasted than from any other period in America's history.  The most famous song being "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."  You will probably recognize the melody even though it was written during the Civil War more than 150 years ago! You may even be able to think of some of the words even though this is an instrumental version:

The Civil War lasted for four years and it is estimated that during the first year alone more than 2000 compositions were produced and that by the end of the war Northern publishers had printed nearly 10,000 songs, and Southern publishers between 600-700. This was more music created, played and sung than during all our other wars combined.  

The armies themselves served to advertise new songs to civilians, bringing music with them as they marched across the land or held concerts for civilians along the way.

Music followed Civil War soldiers everywhere. 

•They were awakened in the morning with the first call of the bugle:

•They were kept in step by fifes and drums:

•They sang exciting songs that encouraged them to join the fight and to keep on fighting:

•They were entertained in camp by banjos and fiddles:

•They were sent to sleep to the sounds of a bugle: 

In his book "The Civil War Soldier: His Personal Items" Robert Jones wrote:

"Music passed the time; it entertained and comforted; it brought back memories of home and family; it strengthened the bonds between comrades.... and, in the case of the Confederacy, it helped create the sense of national identity...so necessary to a new nation."

Here is a video that features pictures of soldiers and of items they may have used.  

The song is "Lorena" which had been written before the war and was popular with soldiers on both sides during the war. One southern soldier suggested that "Lorena" caused the South to lose the war as they became so homesick for those they loved that they lost their ability to fight effectively: