By Wayne Erbsen: Songwriters of the Civil War, then known as songsmiths, produced a staggering array of new patriotic compositions. In 1863 alone, the Norths leading music publishing firm published 258,000 pieces of sheet music. If stretched end to end, these sheets could have spanned the entire state of Illinois, from Chicago to the Mississippi River. But as important as the new compositions were to the morale of both the North and South, the songs that were felt the deepest were the older songs that told of love. With wives and sweethearts separated from their soldiers, perhaps forever, it was the love songs that were on the lips and in the hearts of those facing what has been called The Cruel War. Selections included are Lilly Dale, My Southern Soldier Boy, Miss Lucy Long, Sweet Evelina, Two Soldie4rs, The Faded Coat of Blue and more 14 selections. CD only.
|