Civil War Era Music

 

A selection of some of my favorites. 

As Robert E. Lee put it, "I don't believe we could have an army without music."

 

Battle Cry of Freedom

This very stirring song is my favorite Union tune.

Bonnie Blue Flag

Ode to the unofficial flag of the CSA.  

Bonnie Blue Flag Parody

Union answer to the ode to the unofficial flag of the CSA.

The Buckland Races

Commemorating a certain amusing cavalry event.  More history and info on the page.  Sung to the tune of "Tramp Tramp Tramp."

Dixie Parody

Union answer to the unofficial national anthem of the CSA.

The Grant Pill

a.k.a. “Unconditional Surrender”

Graybacks So Tenderly Clinging

This song is about lice... which were a common plague among soldiers.  Sung to the tune of “Marching Through Georgia.”

Hard Tack

Ode to the soldiers’ common food, a nearly inedible, indestructible, unleavened cracker.  Sung to the tune of “Hard Times.”

Jine the Cavalry

J.E.B. Stuart’s theme song.

Lincoln and Liberty Too

My favorite abolitionist song!

Maryland, My Maryland

No, not that version.  This version was written by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart (a dedicated poet who was also a dab hand at musical parody) as an ode to one of his horses, whose name was Maryland.  Quite clever!

Riding a Raid

Another Stuart song, inspired by his first ride around the Army of the Potomac.

Stonewall Jackson’s Way

All about Jackson.

Sweet Evalina

A sweet, sappy little tune about the girl who lives in the holler.

That’s What’s the Matter

A Stephen Foster song from early in the war.
Major R.G.
Another parody written by J.E.B. Stuart.  He wrote this one when he was a cadet at West Point.  The unfortunate subject of the song is Major Robert S. Garnett, who was commandant of cadets at that time.

 

Most of the midi files on these pages were sequenced by Benjamin Tubb

My Civil War Pages