Many of America's most popular and lasting songs were written in wartime, and the music of the Civil War was no exception. Music was used as a way to express political sentiments, to rally dispirited men who felt they couldn't go on, to comfort the homesick young men who were away from home for possibly the first time in their lives, to console loved ones left at home, and all too often, to accompany a young soldier to his final resting place after giving "the last full measure of devotion". Here are just some of the many songs written and sung during The Civil War.
NOTE: Some people may consider certain lyrics presented here, offensive and racist. It is not my intention to offend anyone, and use of certain words that may be included in some of the lyrics to the songs, are not my personal views. I use the original lyrics here because it is history, and regardless of the "politically correct" attitude of today, these words, terms, and dialects were used in the songs of the day.
Much of the music written during the war, was shared and sung by soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Many of the popular tunes had different sets of lyrics written to them, depending on whether you were a Union soldier, or a Confederate soldier. Often, the two opposing armies would be camped close enough to the other, to be able to hear their respective bands playing. Sometimes this would lead to a friendly "battle of the bands", one side playing a tune, then the other side playing the same tune, trying to play it better, faster , louder than the first. Many times the bands would play music from, and for, both sides - bringing together both Blue and Gray, if only for a short while.
Music was a very important part of a soldier's life. Songs about loved ones at home were popular in both armies, as were those about life in camp, and all its hardships. Singing could help a soldier relieve the boredom of camp, make him forget for a time, the homesickness that most of them felt, or pass the long hours of waiting and anxiety on the eve of a battle.
Singing was just as important to those left at home. Mothers and fathers, sweethearts and wives, would pass long evenings at home, singing songs about longing and being apart - waiting for their boy in blue or gray to return.
