Musical Artifacts of The Civil War
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-04-07/musical-artifacts-civil-war
They're musical artifacts that provide a window into the culture of the Civil War era. The Smithsonian recently released two albums of Civil War music to commemorate its 150th anniversary, including a collection of naval music. We explore what we can learn about the war from the melodies it left behind.
Guests
Patrick Warfield
Professor, The University of Maryland; Author, Liner Notes, "A Treasury of Civil War Songs"
Dan Milner
Professor, New York University; Musician, "Civil War Naval Songs"
Comments
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Do your guests know any stories about how, as hard battles were fought, popular songs of the day were altered by the men to reflect their disappointments and new-found cynicism? For example, as the Army of Northern Virginia first crossed the Potomic into Maryland, they sang "Maryland, My Maryland" with joy. As they dragged themselves back across it after the horrible battle of Sharpesburg/Antietam, they sang, "Maryland, god damn Maryland".
In the late 70's I saw a recital of Civil War era songs sung by Joan Morris; she was accompanied at the piano by her husband, the composer William Bolcom. An album I got at the same time was Who shall rule this American Nation: Songs by Henry Clay Work. A personal favorite: The Buckskin Bag of Gold......
In the late 70's I saw a recital of Civil War era songs sung by Joan Morris; she was accompanied at the piano by her husband, the composer William Bolcom. An album I got at the same time was Who shall rule this American Nation: Songs by Henry Clay Work. A personal favorite: The Buckskin Bag of Gold......
It never ceases to amaze me how current the Civil War is for the folks down here... I was raised in NYC and until I arrived here in 79, I hardly ever heard or thought about the Civil War, outside of history and civics classes. I was apprised, soon after arriving, that the "true" name for that unfortunate event is "The War of Northern Aggression."
My regrettable ignorance of the "true" facts of the War was put down to the misfortune of my sadly lacking upbringing.
One chap allowed as to how he re-read the biographies of Stonewall Jackson annually and offered the opinion that had he not been accidently shot by one of his own men, Jackson would surely have won The War for The South.
In my New Yorker arrogance, I asked if he was searching for some elusive typo in the record, that would allow history to be rewritten.
He was a good sport and laughed with me... and shared a lovely Bourbon-and-Branch with me.