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Patchwork and Powder Horn: Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution

Dorothy Mesney
Patchwork and Powder Horn: Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution

Patchwork: a form of needlework whereby small pieces of material are sewn together to make a larger piece.

Powder horn: a capped animal's horn, used to store gunpowder.

Two seemingly disparate things form the title of this album, but they symbolize the times and events of the American Revolution, capturing the spirit and experiences of the men and women who forged “a new nation conceived in liberty.”

Sung by Dorothy Mesney with autoharp, most of these 25 songs and ballads from the 18th century were recorded for the first time ever on this 1975 release. Unbiased and honest, the songs express female patriotism, and include odes to revolutionary heroes and parodies of both sides.

A musical scholar and performer, Mesney has presented programs on music in America to museums, historical societies, and in leading concert halls. She went on to record another album for Folkways Records, The Parlour Piano: American Popular Songs of the 1880s (FTS32321), available here.

Track Listing

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101
The Revolutionary Alphabet Dorothy Mesney 03:36
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102
The Bold Volunteer Dorothy Mesney 01:42
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103
Fare Thee Well Sweethearts Dorothy Mesney 01:54
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104
The Wicked Rebels Dorothy Mesney 02:24
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105
The Cornwallis Country Dance Dorothy Mesney 02:27
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106
The Simple Bostonians Dorothy Mesney 01:39
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107
Song of the Head Dorothy Mesney 01:46
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108
Love, Oh Love Dorothy Mesney 01:06
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109
Daughter, Will You Marry? Dorothy Mesney 02:01
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110
O, Tannenbaum Dorothy Mesney 01:25
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111
The Little Sargeant Dorothy Mesney 02:34
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112
Free Americay Dorothy Mesney 01:44
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201
America Dorothy Mesney 00:56
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202
Anthony Wayne Dorothy Mesney 03:13
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203
Blendon Dorothy Mesney 00:34
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204
Indian War Song Dorothy Mesney 00:57
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205
The Green Mountaineer Dorothy Mesney 01:15
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206
The Savannah Song Dorothy Mesney 02:18
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207
Female Patriots Dorothy Mesney 01:20
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208
The World Turned Upside Down Dorothy Mesney 00:40
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209
Rivington's Reflections Dorothy Mesney 01:54
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210
Ode to Washington Dorothy Mesney 00:56
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211
The Farce Dorothy Mesney 02:28
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212
Goodbye to America Dorothy Mesney 01:03
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213
God Save Our States Dorothy Mesney 01:23