Ozark Folk Songs: Music about the Civil War

Practice. Practice. Practice. You don't really think that BB King was a natural-born guitar player? Or Chet Atkins? All of them got up there on natural talent. None of them got up there without a grueling regimen of practice.
We all know Robert Johnson wasn't a natural guitar player........................................:devil:
 
Son. I majored in music in college. Never did the pickin' instruments because I am massively clumsy and those little pickin' things were quite beyond my motor skills. (The natural talent bit.)

If I had really wanted to work my butt off in doing that well, I might have. I didn't have the interest. And, while admirmg those who can do the pickin and grinnin, I didn't devote my life to it. Give me something with valves or slides and I'm with it.

You want to pick and grin, go for it. But it remains that practice is the road to follow.

Sir, I was not addressing my comment to you, and I do not appreciate being addressed as "Son." You are not my father, you are not my friend, and I am quite sufficiently advanced in years to render that form of address to be understood in no other way than an effort on your part to establish your superiority in a most disrespectful manner. Moreover, particularly in light of your announcement of your degree in music, I do not appreciate your condescension in referring to my style of music as "pickin' and grinnin'," nor your sneering grant to me of "permission" in telling me that if "You want to pick and grin, go for it." I agreed with you that "practice is the road to follow" and conveyed that to the OP, to whom my posts were primarily addressed. If you took offense at my expression of esteem for the young lady's singing, though I believe that no offense could reasonably be found, that is your privilege, but I must say that that is pretty thin sauce to base your disrespectful demeanor toward me upon.
 
I probably should have mentioned that my interest is not only in listening to them but in playing them. I've just now been occupied with getting the right chords for "For Bales,"--which is the subject of a thread of mine in which I'm trying to find the complete story of the song--and in transposing the chords for "The Irish Brigade," which is, of course, to the tune of "Rosin the Bow." If you happen to come across the lyrics and chords to any of the ones of which you post the videos, it would be extremely helpful, though simply posting the videos of these songs is plenty and will set me off on finding the rest myself.

Thanks a lot for posting them.
There's lots o' websites that have chords, lyrics and tabs. I'm a guitar picker and singer--mostly Contemporary Christian.
 
There's lots o' websites that have chords, lyrics and tabs. I'm a guitar picker and singer--mostly Contemporary Christian.

I have been finding some of them, though I'm sure I'm so far missing many others. I suppose I should be egalitarian about it and give equal time to both sides, but I simply find much more interest in the songs of the Confederacy.
 
Thank you 4th and Border for the links! I have to say I like the Irish song "I will fight for Uncle Sam" better then "Kellys Irish Brigade" but they are both great examples of old-timey music. I wonder if there was also songs written or inspired by the USCT? There must be some non-English songs about the CW on account of all the German regiments plus of course they were Nordic regiments and if I am not mistaken Hungarian regiments.

Leftyhunter
 
Thank you 4th and Border for the links! I have to say I like the Irish song "I will fight for Uncle Sam" better then "Kellys Irish Brigade" but they are both great examples of old-timey music. I wonder if there was also songs written or inspired by the USCT? There must be some non-English songs about the CW on account of all the German regiments plus of course they were Nordic regiments and if I am not mistaken Hungarian regiments.

Leftyhunter

You're very welcome! :thumbsup:

I haven't seen any about the USCT or the other regiments yet, but I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them!
 
Hi 4th,
The song about Wilsons creek is a CSA song making fun of the Dutch. I would not be surprised if the 'Dutch " had a counter song since they more then got their revenge at Pea Ridge and Parrire Grove. I still like the song because it gives great insight into the CSA mindset. Studying music is one of the best ways in the pre-recording era of getting a taste of what people felt so long ago.

Leftyhunter
 
Hi 4th,
The song about Wilsons creek is a CSA song making fun of the Dutch. I would not be surprised if the 'Dutch " had a counter song since they more then got their revenge at Pea Ridge and Parrire Grove. I still like the song because it gives great insight into the CSA mindset. Studying music is one of the best ways in the pre-recording era of getting a taste of what people felt so long ago.

Leftyhunter

Thanks for the correction on the Wilson's Creek song! I didn't think it sounded like a very encouraging song for the Union to sing, but wasn't for sure that it was a CSA song. If I can find one that mentions the Dutch in a good way, or talks about their battles, I'll be sure to post it!

I did find one about the Battle of Prairie Grove, though I'm not sure if it mentions the Dutch Units in particular (there's at least three variants on the website). I'll have the links posted in just a minute...
 
This is a great thread. Thanks to all for the posts. I too enjoy the music of this era.

I took piano for years, not very good. I do collect old sheet music and song books. I like to collect the lyrics of these old songs and history of them and the authors of them.

I saw the post on song Bales. I have searched and searched but have not found any more than you posted. Maybe some one knows more about it.
 
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