Confederate Songs & Lyric Collection by UKConfederate 1993

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Dec 20, 2018
"Harp of the South Awake!" - J. M. Kilgoth & C. L. Peticolas (1863) - Lyrics video

"Harp of the South Awake!" is a rousing Southern song from 1863 composed by J. M. Kilgoth and C. L. Peticolas.


"Harp of the South Awake!" (1863)
A Southern War Song.
Words by J. M. Kilgoth
Music by C. L. Peticolas

1. Harp of the South, awake!
From ev'ry golden wire,
Let the voice of thy power go forth,
Like the rush of the prairie fire;
With the rush and the rhythm of a power,
That dares a freeman's grave,
Rather than love to wear
The chain of a truckling slave.


CHORUS
Harp of the South, awake!
And strike the strain once more
Which nerv'd the heroes' hearts
In the glorious days of yore.


2. Harp of the South, awake!
Thy sons are aroused at last,
And their legions are gathering now
To the sound of the Trumpet blast;
To the scream of the piercing Fife,
And the beat of the rolling Drum,
From maintain, and hill, and plain,
And field, and town, they come.


(CHORUS)

3. Harp of the South, awake!
Their banners are on the breeze;
Tell the world how vain the thought,
To subdue such men as these--
With hero hearts that beat
To the throbs of the spirit-flame,
Which will kindle their battle-fires
In Freedom's holy name.


(CHORUS)

4. Harp of the South, awake!
Though the soldier's beaming tear
May fall on thy trembling strings,
As he breathes his farewell prayer;
Yet tell him how to die
On the bloody battle-field,
Rather than to her foes
The gallant South should yield.


(CHORUS)
 
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Great Tune. Thanks for sharing it with us.
 
"We'll Be Free In Maryland." (R. E. Holtz; January, 1862)

R. E. Holtz composed this pro-Southern Marylander piece on the 30th of January, 1862. The pieces uses the air of "Gideon's Band", an 1861 tune.

The boys down South in Dixie’s land,
The boys down South in Dixie’s land,
The boys down South in Dixie’s land
Will come and rescue Maryland.


Chorus.—If you will join the Dixie band,
Here’s my heart and here’s my hand,
If you will join the Dixie band;
We’re fighting for a home.

The Northern foes have trod us down,
The Northern foes have trod us down,
The Northern foes have trod us down,
But we will rise with true renown.


Chorus

The tyrants they must leave our door,
The tyrants they must leave our door,
The tyrants they must leave our door,
Then we’ll be free in Baltimore.


Chorus.

These hirelings they’ll never stand,
These hirelings they’ll never stand,
These hirelings they’ll never stand,
Whenever they see the Southern band.


Chorus.

Old Abe has got into a trap,
Old Abe has got into a trap,
Old Abe has got into a trap,
And he can’t get out with his Scotch cap.


Chorus.

Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
But the Yankees caught it at Bull Run.


Chorus.

We’ll rally to Jeff Davis true,
Beauregard and Johnston, too,
Magruder, Price, and General Bragg,
And give three cheers for the Southern Flag.


Chorus.

We’ll drink this toast to one and all,
Keep cocked and primed for the Southern call;
The day will come, we’ll make a stand,
Then we’ll be free in Maryland.


Chorus.
 
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R. E. Holtz composed this pro-Southern Marylander piece on the 30th of January, 1862. The pieces uses the air of "Gideon's Band", an 1861 tune.


The boys down South in Dixie’s land,
The boys down South in Dixie’s land,
The boys down South in Dixie’s land
Will come and rescue Maryland.


Chorus.—If you will join the Dixie band,
Here’s my heart and here’s my hand,
If you will join the Dixie band;
We’re fighting for a home.

The Northern foes have trod us down,
The Northern foes have trod us down,
The Northern foes have trod us down,
But we will rise with true renown.


Chorus

The tyrants they must leave our door,
The tyrants they must leave our door,
The tyrants they must leave our door,
Then we’ll be free in Baltimore.


Chorus.

These hirelings they’ll never stand,
These hirelings they’ll never stand,
These hirelings they’ll never stand,
Whenever they see the Southern band.


Chorus.

Old Abe has got into a trap,
Old Abe has got into a trap,
Old Abe has got into a trap,
And he can’t get out with his Scotch cap.


Chorus.

Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
Nobody’s hurt is easy spun,
But the Yankees caught it at Bull Run.


Chorus.

We’ll rally to Jeff Davis true,
Beauregard and Johnston, too,
Magruder, Price, and General Bragg,
And give three cheers for the Southern Flag.


Chorus.

We’ll drink this toast to one and all,
Keep cocked and primed for the Southern call;
The day will come, we’ll make a stand,
Then we’ll be free in Maryland.


Chorus.
Yikes! I would have joined the Union army just for making me listen to that!
 
I never heard of that one before. Thanks for posting this -- I'm always curious as to what the non-popular ACW songs sounded like.
Granted, some of those songs may have been unpopular for a reason, but they are history too.

From what I can hear of it, the tune itself isn't too bad...
Maybe it sound better played by an accoustic instrument instead of a MIDI-ish thing.
I wonder if there is another version of this one drifting out on the Net somewhere?
(Or, failing that...*gulps*...*whispers*...sheet music, for use by a farby and seldom-tuned piano?)
EDIT: found it. If anyone wants to play. The source is here: https://libraries.wm.edu/um/archive/sampler/cf.swem.wm.edu/exhibits/sampler/gideonlist.html
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I'm always curious as to what the non-popular ACW songs sounded like.
Granted, some of those songs may have been unpopular for a reason, but they are history too.

There's a collection of sheet music out there called, "Forgotten Songs of the Civil War." Never seen the music or heard any of it played. I'm too cheap to fork over $25 to see what's in it. One of the songs is titled, "Brave Little Mac" (about guess who).

Maybe someone will record it all some day. I just hope they use period instruments when they do! 🙂

https://www.jwpepper.com/Forgotten-Songs-of-the-Civil-War/10865887.item#.YJsrlKEpAb4
 
"The Minute Men." (J. B. Hawkins, 1861) - Lyrics video

A lyrics video of the energetic 1861 ballad "The Minute Men" by J. B. Hawkins of Tennessee.

"The Minute Men" (1861)

This Ballad is Respectfully dedicated to Pollock B. Lee Esq. of Memphis Tennessee,
for his indefatigable & invaluable services in defence of Southern rights & Southern honor,
by the author,


Poetry & Music by J. B. Hawkins

Published by James. A. McCLURE, Nashville, Tenn.

1. The flag of the South proudly waves in the breeze
And the minute men's cheers, with ardor resound;
Their rifles in haste, round that standard they seize,
Thro' the land of their birth, their cries now rebound.
Haste, haste! with your might
Sustain all your right!
Your legions but slowly appear,
Whilst foemen delay,
Bold Fame leads the way,
Brave sons of the South, draw near!

[REFRAIN] Whilst foemen delay,
Bold Fame leads the way,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

2. With CALHOUN for model and YANCEY for guide
PALMETTO'S brave cohorts are first in the field,
Her forefather's manes call her sons side by side,
To fight in her ranks under Liberty's shield.
Arise, and stand forth!
The strength of the North,
On your soil now dreads to appear;
The trumpet's shrill sound,
All hearts makes rebound,
Brave sons of the South, draw near!

[REFRAIN] The trumpet's shrill sound,
All hearts makes rebound,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

3. But where is that phantom your ancestors nursed?
The Union! - base Seward has settled its doom,
That demon of discord, for ever accursed!
Its fate has consigned to a merciless tomb.
Hoist in ev'ry glade,
The trueblue cockade,
The minute men's emblem hold dear;
Then seek no delay,
Hold traitors at bay,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

[REFRAIN] Then seek no delay,
Hold traitors at bay,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

4. Where your pastures are radiant with Heav'n's best light
Monopoly moves through the land of the free,
Like a spectre that stalks in the stillness of night,
Its victims alluring with vile sophistry.
Then crush its dark shade,
And cheer for free trade,
With your rallying cry appear;
For misfortunes past
Nail your flag to th' mast,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

[REFRAIN] For misfortunes past
Nail your flag to th' mast,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

5. O'er Fort Moultrie now floats that Banner unfurled,
Hurrah for Palmetto! - success to her right!
With hope in the future, she shows to the world,
Her legions assembling all around for the fight.
For bigots' alarms
The minute men's arms,
Respond to the Union fear;
'Gainst the Northern blast,
The scabbard is cast,
Brave sons of the South draw near!

[REFRAIN] 'Gainst the Northern blast,
The scabbard is cast,
Brave sons of the South draw near!
 
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"War Song." - Southern war song published in the Charleston Mercury (Instrumental, with Lyrics)

This is a war song that was published in the Charleston Mercury newspaper, the song is sung to the air of "March! March! Ettrick and Teviotdale."/"Blue Bonnets over the Border."

 
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"The Mother's Farewell." by Jack Morgan, Songster (Air: "Jeannette and Jeannot.")

A Southern song by Jack Morgan, Songster, to the air of "Jeannette and Jeannot".
 
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"Harp of the South Awake!" is a rousing Southern song from 1863 composed by J. M. Kilgoth and C. L. Peticolas.


"Harp of the South Awake!" (1863)
A Southern War Song.
Words by J. M. Kilgoth
Music by C. L. Peticolas

1. Harp of the South, awake!
From ev'ry golden wire,
Let the voice of thy power go forth,
Like the rush of the prairie fire;
With the rush and the rhythm of a power,
That dares a freeman's grave,
Rather than love to wear
The chain of a truckling slave.


CHORUS
Harp of the South, awake!
And strike the strain once more
Which nerv'd the heroes' hearts
In the glorious days of yore.


2. Harp of the South, awake!
Thy sons are aroused at last,
And their legions are gathering now
To the sound of the Trumpet blast;
To the scream of the piercing Fife,
And the beat of the rolling Drum,
From maintain, and hill, and plain,
And field, and town, they come.


(CHORUS)

3. Harp of the South, awake!
Their banners are on the breeze;
Tell the world how vain the thought,
To subdue such men as these--
With hero hearts that beat
To the throbs of the spirit-flame,
Which will kindle their battle-fires
In Freedom's holy name.


(CHORUS)

4. Harp of the South, awake!
Though the soldier's beaming tear
May fall on thy trembling strings,
As he breathes his farewell prayer;
Yet tell him how to die
On the bloody battle-field,
Rather than to her foes
The gallant South should yield.


(CHORUS)
A new video, since my old channel was deleted:
 
"The Battle of Galveston" - Mrs L. E. Caplen, of Galveston (Ca. Early 1863)

This forgotten Southern song was penned by Mrs L. E. Caplen of Galveston, Texas, and is set to the air of "The Harp That Once Thro' Tara's Halls".

The song concerns a battle in Galveston around late December, 1862, and is probably the same battle as that featured in another song titled "The Bombardment and Battle of Galveston".
 
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"Song." (Air - "Faintly Flows the Falling River.")

A Confederate song that I do not know the origin of. Only that it is featured in a ca. 1890s songbook titled "Southern War Songs: Camp-Fire, Patriotic and Sentimental". That I own a copy of.

 
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"Cantate" - 1861 French-language Confederate song from New Orleans by Henri Dubos & C. A. Predigam.

"Cantate" ("Dédiée aux Volontaires Louisianais") is an 1861 Confederate song in French. The lyrics were penned by Henri Dubos, with the tune being composed by C. A. Predigam. The song is dedicated to the Louisiana Volunteers.

I am presently waiting on an accurate English translation in order to make a French/English lyrics video (I already have a MIDI file of the air). Here be the French lyrics:

Après vingt ans de sourdes trahisons,
Le Nord enfin ose lever la tête,
Brisant nos lois, ruinant los maisons,
Il veut de Sud consommer la défaite.

Fiers de nos droits jusqui'ci respectés,
Enfants du Sud, voulons nous être esclaves?
Laisserons-nous charger nos mains d'entraves?
Laisserons-nous périr nos libertés?

Formons une sainte alliance;
Levons-nous contre l'oppresseur;
Et glaive de main, jetons en chœur
Le noble cri d'indépendance.

La paix règnait au sein de nos cités,
Et l'abondance, au milieu de nos plaines.
Ils sont venus, ces tyrans détestés,
Semer partout la ruine et les haires.

Jouissez donc du fruit de vos exploits,
Noirs artisans de crises politiques,
Repaissez-vous des misères publiques,
Et contemplez la patrie aux abois.

Formons une sainte alliance;
Levons-nous contre l'oppresseur;
Et glaive de main, jetons en chœur
Le noble cri d'indépendance.

Etendez-vous ces dévots orateurs?
Ils vont du Christ invoquant la doctrine.
Mais le sophisme a corrompu leurs cœurs:
La bible en main, ils prêchent la ruine.

Alerte donc! Enfants de l'Union;
Armez vos cœurs d'un saint patriotisme.
Et dans les rangs d'un obscur fanatisme
Portez le trouble et la destruction.

Formons une sainte alliance;
Marchons sur les blasphémateurs;
Et renversons les oppresseurs
De notre vieille indépendance.

O Liberté! Combats sous nos drapeaux,
Et chasse au loin cette peste publique,
Réveillez-vous, sortez de vos tombeaux,
Pères sacrés de notre république!

Dans les dangers servez nous de soutiens;
Et, s'il nous faut périr dans la têmpete,
Mieux vaut tomber que de courber la tête,
L'indépendance est le premier des biens.

Formons une saint alliance;
Marchons contre les oppresseurs;
En évoquant les fondateurs
De notre vieille indépendance.
 
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Sheet music for "Aime Moi Toujours!" - An 1861 theatre piece by Capt. Eugene Chassaignac

Captain Eugene Chassaignac, who I first heard of from his 1861 patriotic piece "Confederate Land" with Lieutenant H. H. Strawbridge, also produced a number of pieces that he performed in the theatres of New Orleans (not sure if he performed at just one, but I suspect he might have toured the theatres of the city), many, if not most, of which, were in French. I believe he was a Cajun, since I've also seen his name spelt as "Eugène Chassaignac", which is how he would have likely spelt his own name.

This is sheet music for one called "Aime Moi Toujours!" ("Love Me Always!"), that was a Piano piece with vocal accompaniment, I have asked on Reddit (I'm not a Plebbitor, for what it's worth, I'm a moderator of "r/SouthernLiberty") if someone can provide a MIDI of the sheet music, so, hopefully, I might be able to do a lyrics video of this piece in the future.

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