Popular Songs of the Civil

War

Songs of the North

• That’s What’s the Matter by Stephen Foster

• Stephen Foster wrote many songs that were to appeal to the Union soldiers, one of them including “That’s What’s the Matter” (1862). He mainly wrote it for a famous singer named Dan Bryant. Stephen hoped that Dan’s success with the song would help with another song he wrote for Dan Byrant.

Lyrics to “That’s What’s the Matter”• We live in hard and stirring times,

• Too sad for mirth, to rough for rhymes;• For songs of peace have lost their chimes,• And that's what's the matter!• The men we held as brothers true,• Have turn'd into a rebel crew;• So now we have to put them thro'• And that's what's the matter!

• That's what's the matter,• The rebels have to scatter;• We'll make them flee, by land and sea,• And that's what's the matter!

• Oh! Yes, we thought our neighbors true,• Indulg'd them as their mothers do;• They storm'd our bright red, white and blue,• And that's what's the matter!• We'll never give up what we gain,• For now we know we must maintain• Our laws and rights with might and main;• And that's what's the matter.

• The rebels thought we would divide,• And democrats would take their side;• They then would let the union slide,• And that's what's the matter!• But, when the war had once begun,• All party feeling soon was gone;• We join'd as brothers, ev'ry one!• And that's what's the matter!

• Battle Cry of Freedom by Robert E. Lee

• On July 24, 1862, “The Battle Cry of Freedom” was first made in Chicago. This song had a major inspirational effect on the Union. It was written about in diaries and newspapers. The Confederates did not like this song at all though. Robert E. Lee had stated that he would not have had an army without the creation of music.

Lyrics to “Battle Cry of Freedom”• Yes we'll rally 'round the flag, boys,

• We'll rally once again,• Shouting the battle cry of Freedom;• We will rally from the hillside,• We'll gather from the plain,• Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

• Chorus:

• The Union forever,• Hurrah boys, hurrah!• Down with the Traitor,• Up with the Star;• While we rally 'round the flag, boys,• Rally once again,• Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

• We are springing to the call for• Three Hundred Thousand more,• Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,• And we'll fill the vacant ranks• Of our brothers gone before,• Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

• Marching Through Georgia by Henry Clay Work

• Marching Through Georgia" (1865) was created by Henry Clay Work, one of the most talented composers of the age. One of the most popular Civil War songs was “Marching Through Georgia” and it was very popular for many decades after the Civil War, as it reminded the North of its wonderous victory. However, not many Southerners liked this song, as it seemed to often remind them of the obsurd destruction that General Sherman's forces had on Georgia during the devastating march, that lasted a month, ending in 1864.

Lyrics to “Marching Through Georgia”

• Bring the good old bugle, boys!• We'll sing another song-• Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along-• Sing it as we used to sing it,• Fifty thousand strong,• While we are marching through Georgia.

• Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the Jubilee!• Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that makes you free!• So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea,• While we were marching through Georgia.

• So we make a thoroughfare for freedom and her train,• Sixty miles in latitude - three hundred to the main;• Treason fled before us, for resistance was in vain,• While we were marching through Georgia.