Songs of the Civil War

The Civil War played an instrumental role in the development of an American national identity. Specifically for American folk music, the war inspired songwriting on both sides of the conflict, as amateurs and professionals wrote new, timely lyrics to old English, Scottish, and Irish ballads as well as original compositions. Some of the popular songs are still well known today, such as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This 33-song collection, featuring Pete Seeger, The New Lost City Ramblers, Hermes Nye, Cisco Houston, Sandy Ives, and others, was released on the centennial of the Civil War in 1960. It contains patriotic songs of the Union, songs about Southern rights, sentimental ballads, parodies, and marching songs. The liner notes by Paredon Records co-founder Irwin Silber feature song descriptions and lyrics plus a two-page essay about the music of the Civil War.

Track Listing

101	John Brown's Body	Pete Seeger	02:57
102	Johnny Is My Darling	Ethel Raim, Elizabeth Knight, and Joyce Gluck	01:26
103	Billy Barlow	Jerry Silverman	03:30
104	Somebody's Darling	Elizabeth Knight and The Harvesters	05:04
105	Old Abe Lincoln	Hermes Nye	01:12
106	The Vacant Chair	The New Lost City Ramblers	03:39
107	Lincoln and Liberty	Pete Seeger	01:05
108	Roll Alabama Roll	Jerry Silverman and The Harvesters	02:59
109	Clear the Track	Pete Seeger and Group	01:45
201	Tramp, Tramp, Tramp	Jerry Silverman and The Harvesters	02:07
202	Bonnie Blue Flag	Elizabeth Knight with The Harvesters	02:00
203	Tenting Tonight	Pete Seeger	05:30
204	Richmond Is a Hard Road to Travel	Tom Paley and The New Lost City Ramblers	03:05
205	Battle Cry of Freedom	Jerry Silverman and The Harvesters	02:30
206	The Cumberland and the Merrimac	Ellen Stekert	02:59
207	Just Before the Battle, Mother	Jerry Silverman and The Harvesters	04:14
208	Farewell Mother	Hermes Nye	01:47
301	Weeping Sad and Lonely	Elizabeth Knight with The Harvesters	05:54
302	Marching Song of the First Arkansas	Pete Seeger and Bill MacAdoo	02:04
303	Overtures from Richmond	Jerry Silverman	04:13
304	Pat Murphy of the Irish Brigade	Ellen Stekert	01:42
305	Goober Peas	John Cohen and The New Lost City Ramblers	03:39
306	Cumberland Crew	Sandy Ives	04:42
307	High Toned Southern Gentlemen	Jerry Silverman	03:25
401	When Johnny Comes Marching Home	Pete Seeger and Bill MacAdoo	01:29
402	Who Will Care for Mother Now?	Jerry Silverman	04:01
403	Marching Through Georgia	Pete Seeger and Bill MacAdoo	01:50
404	No More Auction Block	The Harvesters	03:07
405	Kingdom Coming (Year of Jubilo)	Pete Seeger	02:36
406	Booth Killed Lincoln	Cisco Houston	02:59
407	Oh, I'm a Good Old Rebel	Hermes Nye	01:46
408	Two Brothers	Ethel Raim and Ronnie Gluck	02:45
409	Battle Hymn of the Republic	Elizabeth Knight with The Harvesters	02:58