"I don't believe we can have an army without music" -Robert E. Lee. Lee saw the importance of music amongst his soldiers and any army in the world. Music can help pass time, build camaraderie, and even help during battles. The Confederate army had many popular songs, such as "Bonnie Blue Flag" and "Dixie". There was even a "battle of the bands" between the Union and Confederacy. One morning, a Union band was playing pro-north songs. The southern men across the river answered with their own pro-south songs.
Bonnie Blue Flag
"Bonnie Blue Flag" was a popular pro-southern song within the Confederate States of America. The song was written by Harry McCarthy. The term "Bonnie Blue Flag" is in reference to the original (unofficial) Confederate flag. It was so popular that it even started to upset Northerners. Union general Benjamin Butler destroyed all of the copies of the song he could find, put the publisher in jail, and even threatened to fine anyone who was singing the song. Although this is a very harsh reaction, it is just another example of how important music was and is.
Lorena
The song "Lorena" was a song about distant lovers. Many soldiers had left their families and significant others to go and fight for their respective countries. Soldiers sang songs like "Lorena" and other songs about love and loss often to help emotions flow through. They also sang songs that their families sang to remind them of home. Finding a soldier singing a sad song was not uncommon. On the contrary, they also sang victory songs. Songs about victory were sung to get inspired and excited for the battles that they fought.
The Drinking Gourd
"Follow the Drinking Gourd" was a slave song. Slaves in the south often sang this in hopes of escaping. The phrase "follow the drinking gourd" was a discreet way of saying "follow the big dipper". The big dipper contains the north star, which when followed, will lead to the north. The star directed slaves to the underground railroad, and eventually the free northern states. Above is a cover of "Follow the Drinking Gourd by Eric Bibb, a current musician. The song still holds huge cultural significance for those who were enslaved.
Dixie
"Dixie" was a song in support of the south and slavery. Although it was a song written before the war, it was sang and played during the war by the Confederacy. This song was commonly played in brigade bands and other war bands in the army. Nowadays, this song is seen as a song of reconciliation. This is due to Abraham Lincoln. Just days before he died, Lincoln asked a band from the north to play "Dixie". This was a clear gesture of reconciliation with the south. Now, the song is commonly seen as a bond of the north and south.
War Bands
Before the civil war, there were brigade bands in the military. A law was passed that outlawed the hiring of musicians for brigade bands. Many generals were very upset with this motion, as music was such an important part of their armies. Regiments soon created regiment bands. Soldiers were recruited specifically to play in regiment bands. Although they were supposed to fight, they stayed back and played music at those in power had requested. Drums, which were made of wood and animal skin, were often used in battles. Certain drum patterns signaled troop movement and orders on the battlefield.
John Brown's Body
John Brown was an extremely important and impactful abolitionist. In almost every regard, he was a failure. He went to Kansas during the votes for popular sovereignty to try and sway the state to a free state. He eventually killed five men by broadsword. He tried to raid an armory in Virginia and start a slave uprising, but to no avail. He was eventually hung for treason by Virginia. The title "John Brown's Body" may seem like it would be pro-southern, but it is not. The song was one of the most popular pro-Union songs to come out of the war, and is still associated with the Civil War.
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre is possibly the most famous theater in history, rivaling even the Globe Theater. In 1865, the theater was putting on the show "Our American Cousin". The president who led the Union to victory, Abraham Lincoln, was ready to watch this play in April. In a box overlooking the theater, Lincoln sat and watched the show. A southern actor came up behind Lincoln. He took out a Derringer .44-caliber pistol. He aimed it at Lincoln's head and pulled the trigger. He became one of the most villainous people in all of American history.
Ophelia
Out now
The Music Lesson
The Music Lesson or Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman by Jan Vermeer, is a painting of young female pupil receiving the titular music lesson. [more]
