• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

SONGSTER OF THE PALMETTO RIFLEMEN & NEW YORK ZOUAVES The Company Songster of the Palmetto Riflemen and New York Zouaves i SONGSTER OF THE Palmetto Riflemen & New York Zouaves Prepared by the Committee on Military Instruction and Lecture Introduction “All history proves that music is as indispensable to warfare as money; and money has been called the sinews of war. Music is the soul of Mars...” – The New York Herald, 1862. This “Songster” has been created for the membership of the “Palmetto Riflemen” & “New York Zouaves” as a Song Book to be used in the camp, around the fire, on the field, and all other places. Efforts have been made to try and make sure that all of the songs included herein were written prior to 1865 and as such would have been heard in the armies of the United and Confederate States during the conflict. Some of these songs may be considered inappropriate by today’s standards, such as ethnic parodies and racial references, however it should be remembered that during the conflict these were commonplace and were considered as acceptable public entertainment, and should be used in a historical context such as reenactments and living histories. * * * * * * * * * * * * Music was important throughout the war and played a large part in the daily lives of the soldiers of both armies. From buglers, drummers, and fifers playing the various calls to duty or orders; the regimental or brigade bands that played inspiring music while on the march or in the fight; and the soldiers themselves singing in camp as a diversion from the humdrum of daily life. They wound sing to combat homesickness, to raise their spirits, to ease boredom, and to forget the weariness of the war. Music was a daily part of the soldier’s lives and would have been heard in camp, on the march, on the drill field, and every other conceivable place from the loan voice singing a tune to the sound of thousands in chorus. The degree to which the importance of music played during the war is best illustrated in an account from the “Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War.” In that history, it was recounted that following a performance of the regimental band of the 26th North Carolina in April of 1864 General Robert E. Lee remarked to Colonel John R. Lane, of that regiment, that, “I don't think we could have an army without music.” As such, a knowledge of period music is vital to the impression of any reenactor wishing to properly and correctly portray the soldiers or civilians of the period. ii The Company Songster of the Palmetto Riflemen and New York Zouaves Contents The Army Bean . 1 Keemo Kimo . 15 – 16 Babylon Has Fallen . 1 Kingdom Coming . 16 Billy Barlow . 1 – 2 The Minstrel Boy . 16 Bonnie Blue Flag . 2 – 3 Money is a Hard Thing to Borrow . 17 Bounty Jumpers Lament . 3 Mr. Here’s Your Mule . 17 Brass Mounted Army . 4 Nelly Bly . 18 Corporal Schnapps . 5 New York Volunteer . 18 De Boatman’s Dance . 5 – 6 Oh, Lemuel . 19 Dandy Jim from Caroline . 6 Old Dan Tucker . 19 Dixie (Union) . 6 – 7 Old King Crow . 20 Dixie’s Land . 7 Old Pee Dee . 20 Down in Alabama . 8 Over the Hills and Far Away . 21 Fall of Charleston . 8 – 9 The Parting Glass . 21 Garry Owen . 9 Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel . 21 – 23 Girl I left behind me . 9 Ring, Ring de Banjo . 23 The Glendy Burke . 9 – 10 Root, Hog, or Die . 23 – 24 Goober Peas . 10 Rose of Alabama . 24 Grafted into the Army . 10 – 11 The Rouge’s March . 25 Hard Tack Come Again No More . 11 Sally Brown . 25 – 26 Hard Times Come Again No More . 11 The Southern Wagon . 26 – 27 A Health to the Company . 12 Spanish Lady . 27 Home, Sweet Home . 12 Stonewall Jackson’s Way . 28 How Are You Telegraph . 12 Tenting Tonight on the Old Campground . 28 – 29 If I only had a Mustache . 13 That’s What’s the Matter . 29 The Invalids . 13 – 14 Tramp, Tramp, Tramp . 29 – 30 Jenny Get Your Hoecakes Done . 14 Uncle Joe’s Hail Columbia . 30 Jim Along Josey . 14 – 15 The Valiant Conscript . 30 – 31 Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel . 15 The Company Songster of the Palmetto Riflemen and New York Zouaves iii The Company Songster ♦ THE ARMY BEAN ♦ Don't you see the lightnin' Flashin' in de canebrake, Author unknown; Sung to the tune of “In the Sweet Bye and Bye” Like as if we's gwine to hab a storm? No! You is mistaken, There's a spot that the soldiers all love, 'Tis darkies' bay'nets, The mess tent's the place that we mean, An' de buttons on dar uniform. (Chorus) And the dish we best like to see there Way up in the cornfield, Is the old-fashioned white army bean. Whar you hear de tunder, (Chorus) Tis the bean that we mean, Dat is our ole forty-pounder gun; And we'll eat as we ne'er ate before; When the shells are missin', The army bean, nice and clean, Den we load wid punkins, We will stick to our beans evermore. All de same to make the cowards run. (Chorus) Now the bean in it's primitive state Mass was de Kernel Is a plant we have all often met; In de Rebel army, And when cooked in the old army style Eber sence he went an' run away; It has charms we can never forget. – Chorus But his lubly darkies, Dey has been a-watchin', The German is fond of sourkraut, An' dey take him pris'ner tudder day. (Chorus) The potato is loved by the Mick, But the soldiers have long since found out We will be be the Massa, He will be the sarvant, And thru life to our beans we should stick. – Chorus Try him how he like it for a spell; So we crack de Butt'nuts, ♦ BABYLON HAS FALLEN ♦ So we take the Kernel, So the cannon carry back de shell. (Chorus) Words and Music by Henry Clay Work, ca. 1863 Don't you see de black clouds ♦ BILLY BARLOW ♦ Risin' ober yonder, Whar de Massa's old plantation am? The marching song of Company B of the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, “Hawkins Zouaves.” Neber you be frightened, Dem is only darkies, Come to jine an' fight for Uncle Sam, Good evening kind friends how do you all do? 'Tis a very long time since I've been to see you, Chorus – Look out dar, now! I am a volunteer for the Union I go; We's agwine to shoot! And I'm down on Secession, is Billy Barlow. Look out dar, don't you understand? (Oh, don't you know dat) Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know, Babylon is fallen! But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow. Babylon is fallen! Since last I saw you, to Richmond I've been, An' we's agwine to occupy the land. And during my stay Mrs. Davis I've seen. The Company Songster of the Palmetto Riflemen and New York Zouaves Page 1 She treated me kindly, and smiled on me so. Oh! dear, I'm ragged, I know, Old Jeff he got jealous of Billy Barlow. Hurrah for the Union! Says Billy Barlow. Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know, But the ladies all like Mr. William Barlow. ♦ BONNIE BLUE FLAG ♦ It's down in Virginia at a place called Bull Run Where first our brave soldiers their fighting begun Author Harry Macarthy, ca. 1861 It's true they got routed but then you all know It was on account of the absence of Billy Barlow. We are a band of brothers Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know, And native to the soil, But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow. Fighting for the property We gained by honest toil; Our country's excited 'bout this thing and that, And when our rights were threatened, Both North and the South hardly know what they're at. The cry rose near and far— They secession. Coercion, and compromise blow, "Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag But it's talk and no cider, thinks Billy Barlow. That bears a single star!" Oh! dear, I'm ragged I know, (CHORUS) Hurrah! Hurrah! But "Stand by the Union" will Billy Barlow For Southern rights hurrah! If I had but the power I'd soon bring 'em to, Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag Though this may be nonsense I'm singing to you. That bears a single star. I'd hang of ringleaders a hundred or so, And choke off secession, would Billy Barlow. As long as the Union Was faithful to her trust, Oh! dear, I'm ragged, I know, Like friends and like brothers Then times would be better, thinks Billy Barlow. Both kind were we and just; Our cities are flooded with traitors and spies, But now, when Northern treachery And our papers are filled with a strange pack of lies; Attempts our rights to mar, They'll agitate questions for friend or a foe. We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag Whilst they pocket the rhino says Billy Barlow That bears a single star. — CHORUS Oh! dear, I'm ragged, I know, First gallant South Carolina Self-interest they go for, thinks Billy Barlow. Nobly made the stand, Then came Alabama, Our members of Congress have plenty to do, Who took her by the hand.

Load more

  34

Copy Link