Music – Civil WarMusic – Civil War

By: Juan Thomas KimbleBy: Juan Thomas Kimble

““Home Sweet Home”Home Sweet Home”

• Composed by Henry Bishop (1786-Composed by Henry Bishop (1786-1855)1855)

• Simple tune, four bar phrases, and a Simple tune, four bar phrases, and a range of a octaverange of a octave

• Centers on the tonic noteCenters on the tonic note• 1616thth notes provide the static harmony notes provide the static harmony• Text is the translation of a French playText is the translation of a French play

““The Last Hope”The Last Hope”

• Composed by Louis Moreau Composed by Louis Moreau Gottschalk in 1854Gottschalk in 1854

• Women loved this songWomen loved this song• Reflects the religious component Reflects the religious component

and has a tempo of religioso.and has a tempo of religioso.• Melody provided by chordal Melody provided by chordal

harmonies harmonies

““Washington Greys Washington Greys March”March”

• 1919thth century march played by the century march played by the Dodworth BandDodworth Band

• Composed by Claudio Grafulla Composed by Claudio Grafulla • Marching songs had strong repetitive Marching songs had strong repetitive

rhythms for military marchesrhythms for military marches• Written in duple meter w/o an Written in duple meter w/o an

introductionintroduction• Contrasting section called trio which has Contrasting section called trio which has

softer dynamics and thinner softer dynamics and thinner instrumental textureinstrumental texture

““Washington Greys March”Washington Greys March”

• The title “Washington Greys” was The title “Washington Greys” was the name of the 8the name of the 8thth Regiment New Regiment New YorkYork

• The Union wore gray uniforms The Union wore gray uniforms which was the standard uniform which was the standard uniform color prior to the Civil Warcolor prior to the Civil War

““Jim Along Josie”Jim Along Josie”

• Appeared in several variations in the Appeared in several variations in the 1840s and 1850s1840s and 1850s

• Tune is a modified version of a Virginia Tune is a modified version of a Virginia reel which is associated with folk reel which is associated with folk dancing.dancing.

• Banjo and violin play the melodyBanjo and violin play the melody• Singers add to the melodySingers add to the melody• Labeled symphony which was an Labeled symphony which was an

instrumental interlude in baroque operainstrumental interlude in baroque opera

Ain’t I RightAin’t I Right

• Features a baritone soloist and Features a baritone soloist and group of men that sing the shorter group of men that sing the shorter responseresponse

• Commentary shows the unequal Commentary shows the unequal relationship between the master relationship between the master and the slaves.and the slaves.

• Patting juba is accompaniedPatting juba is accompanied

““Live Humble”Live Humble”

• Heterophonic melodyHeterophonic melody• Everyone sings a part of the melody but Everyone sings a part of the melody but

it variesit varies

• Song has a soloist and group of Song has a soloist and group of singerssingers

• Contains biblical stories & sermon Contains biblical stories & sermon topicstopics

• Uses cadences and melodic gesturesUses cadences and melodic gestures

““Follow the Drinking Follow the Drinking Gourd’Gourd’

• Song attributed to “Peg Leg Joe” Song attributed to “Peg Leg Joe” who was a carpenter who helped who was a carpenter who helped slaves get away.slaves get away.

• Provides directions to the get away Provides directions to the get away pathpath

• Two singers Two singers

““The Battle Hymn of the The Battle Hymn of the Republic”Republic”

• Written by Julia Ward HoweWritten by Julia Ward Howe• Tune derived from camp meeting Tune derived from camp meeting

songsong

““The Battle Cry of The Battle Cry of Freedom”Freedom”

• Written by George F. Root Written by George F. Root • AKA “The Rallying Song”AKA “The Rallying Song”• Was an instant success with over Was an instant success with over

350,000 copies sold by 1866350,000 copies sold by 1866• Song has soul-stirring ingredients Song has soul-stirring ingredients

““I Wish I was in Dixie’s I Wish I was in Dixie’s LandLand

• Song first performed in minstrel Song first performed in minstrel show in 1859show in 1859

• Song became popular Song became popular