MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR

What music was used for… It was used to… 1. Help recruit soldiers 2. Signal important times of the day at military bases 3. Communicate orders from commanding officers and signal troop movement 4. Boost the morale of the soldiers

Recruiting Soldiers Military bands played at recruitment rallies Their marching tunes inspired young men to enlist

Music in Military Camps Many soldiers brought instruments from home to camp to pass the time away Drums woke the soldiers up Music signaled meal times Music signaled morning roll call and guard duty At night, the song “Taps” was played to signal lights out (Taps is also played at funerals)

On the battlefield… Musicians played battle commands from the commanding officers Military bands boosted the morale of the soldiers on the battlefield Soldiers sang while marching to keep up their spirits

Civil War Songs Confederate Songs God Save the South Dixie The Bonnie Blue Flag

God save the South, Her altars and firesides, God save the South! Now that the war is nigh, now that we arm to die, Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"

DIXIE –I wish I was in the land of cotton, –Old times there am not forgotten; –Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land. –In Dixie Land where I was born in, –Early on one frosty mornin, –Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Bonnie Blue Flag We are a band of brothers and native to the soil Fighting for our Liberty, With treasure, blood and toil And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! Chorus: Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights, hurrah! Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Union Songs The Battle Hymn of Republic The Battle Cry of Freedom John Brown’s Body

The Battle Hymn of Republic –Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: –He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; –He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: –His truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

CIVIL WAR INSTRUMENTS DRUMS

Fife The fife is a high-pitched instrument, similar to a piccolo. It accompanied the drum.

Bugle The bugler had to learn about 50 different kinds of call for infantry and cavalry.

Other Instruments Soldiers played other instruments in their camps… Banjo, Fiddles, Guitars

Questions… What was music used for during the Civil War? What were some of the songs that we sung in the North and South? What kinds of instruments were used in the War?