Working with original Civil War era sheet music, 19th century song books, and from the oral tradition, Bobby Horton performs 17 authentic songs of the Union in a wide variety of "period" musical styles.

17 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Traditional Folk, FOLK: String Band

Details:
âA seasoned performer, Bobby Horton is a multi-instrumentalist, a composer, producer, and a music historian. For more than 30 years he has performed with the musical-comedy group Three On A String. He has also produced and performed music scores for ten Ken Burns PBS films, including âThe Civil Warâ, âBaseballâ, and âMark Twainâ, two films for the A & E Network, plus sixteen films for The National Park Service. His series of recordings of authentic âperiodâ music has been acclaimed by historical organizations and publications throughout America and Europe.â

In 1987, a friend in the National Park Service suggested that I supplement my Confederate series (there were four at that time) with a series of Union recordings. I had accumulated a lot of Northern material, so I decided to do so. This is the first recording of music of the men who wore the blue. Like the others I played all the instruments (many were made in the 19th century), performed all the vocal parts, hand drew the cover and liner notes, and recorded here in my home production studio â hence the âHomespunâ in the title.

This recording features a variety of musical styles that were common in the 1860âs. Settings include: military band music, with cornets, baritone horns, fifes, and drums; parlor music and campfire tunes include a wide array of instruments, such as piano, horns, fiddle, mandolin, Celtic harp, tin whistle, harmonica, hammer dulcimer, banjo and guitar.

Several of the songs presented here are patriotic. âBattle Cry of Freedomâ was written in the early war period by George Root and was one of the most popular marching songs of the common soldier throughout the whole war. Other patriotic, marching tunes include âThe Army of the Freeâ by Frank H. Norton, âNew York Volunteerâ, and âMarching Alongâ by William B. Bradbury were all heard everywhere the Union Army went. âMay God Save the Unionâ was one of the more popular hymn-like songs. âThe Why and Whereforeâ reminded the soldier in the ranks of why he was fighting this war, and it proved to be an effective recruiting tool.

President Lincoln loved his soldiers and they loved him. Many soldier songs were written that reflect this special bond. There are two presented here: âWe Are Coming Father Abrahamâ by James Sloan Gibbons, and âWeâll Fight for Uncle Abeâ by Frederick Buckley.

Soldiers often turned to music to deal with the horrors of war. Singing helped them deal with their fears, their hardships, their grief, and offered a way to honor lost comrades. Several such songs are included here. âThe Vacant Chairâ, by Henry S. Washburn and George Root, honors Lt. John William Grout who was killed in the first engagement of the war at Ballâs Bluff in Virginia. âPat Murphy of the Irish Brigadeâ honors the sacrifice of the Irish in the army. âWeeping, Sad and Lonelyâ by Charles Carroll Sawyer, and the very popular âTenting on the Old Camp Groundâ both express the sadness of war and the universal desire for peace.

One of the most popular songs to be written during the war was written by Henry Clay Work. âKingdom Comingâ was the first song in the music business to sell one million copies of sheet music.

Many songs were written about the soldiers leaving home for army life. âTake Your Gun and Go, Johnâ is a patriotic, leaving home song, whereas, âGrafted into the Armyâ is a comedy song that deals with the dilemma of a mother whose son is forced to go due to the draft.

The recording closes with one of the veteranâs favorite post-war tunes called âGood-bye Old Gloryâ, and, as a tribute to the boys who answered their countryâs call in the 1860âs, I play a âbigâ instrumental arrangement of âThe Battle Hymn of the Republicâ.

People who are interested in Jay Ungar and Molly Mason 2nd South Carolina String Band should consider this download.