Bull Run Monument Dedication Hymn

First Bull Run Battle Monument Dedication

From John Hennessy:

We have come to see memorialization and remembrance of the Civil War as a tool of reconciliation. Not in 1865. Attached are the words of a hymn written for and sung at the dedication of two monuments on the Bull Run Battlefield in June 1865–monuments built by Union soldiers at the end of the war. The dedicatory ceremony attracted a huge crowd, including Generals Orlando Willcox and Samuel P. Heintzelman, who both spoke.

The words to the hymn are bitter and angry, written two months after the end of the war and Lincoln’s assassination.

After harsh lines about slavery and treason, the hymn concludes:

“And so, upon the bloody spot,
Where now this monument is raised,
Shall rebel bones and memories rot,
But patriots’ names for aye be praised.”

The words were sung to the hymn, “Old Hundred,” familiar to most today as the Doxology–sung every week in many Protestant churches.

 

For more on he monument dedication, see here.

The above hymn first appeared in the New York Times on June 13, 1865, as part of an account by a correspondent who attended the dedication.

“Can You Run” – The Steeldrivers

There’s smoke down by the river
Hear the cannon and the drum
I’ve got one thing to ask you honey
Can you run?

You know I hate to ask so late
But the moment’s finally come
And there won’t be time to change your mind
Can you run?

Can you run, to the freedom line of the Lincoln soldiers?
Where the contraband can be a man
With a musket on his shoulder
I’ve got to stand up tall before I’m done
Wrap these hands of mine around a gun
And chase the taste of bondage from my tongue
Can you run?
Can you run?

I’m takin nothin with me
We’ve just got time to beat the sun
And the boys in gray are never far away
Can you run?

Can you run, to the freedom line of the Lincoln soldiers?
Where the contraband can be a man
With a musket on his shoulder
I’ve got to stand up tall before I’m done
Wrap these hands of mine around a gun
And chase the taste of bondage from my tongue
Can you run?
Can you run?

There’s smoke down by the river
Hear the cannon and the drum
And even if I die, I’ve got to try
Can you run?

Can you run, to the freedom line of the Lincoln soldiers?
Where the contraband can be a man
With a musket on his shoulder
I’ve got to stand up tall before I’m done
Wrap these hands of mine around a gun
And chase the taste of bondage from my tongue
Can you run?
Can you run?

Can you run?
Can you run?

Give This a Listen

Justin Townes Earle – “Lone Pine Hill”

There Stands Jackson

h/t to @oldtomfool

“Blind Tom” Wiggins – Battle of Manassas

See here for more on “Blind Tom” Wiggins.

 

David Kincaid – The Boys That Wore the Green

Fun stuff. Listen along – can you figure out who everyone is?

Johnny Horton – Battle of Bull Run

Thanks Craig Swain!

Another Civil War Themed Music Video

Not really new, and not even new to me. But just to add it to the collection, here’s FUN:

This one is still my favorite.

Soundtrack for “Death and the Civil War”

Hey folks: if you enjoy the soundtrack to tonight’s PBS American Experience presentation of Death and the Civil War, you can find ordering information here.

Two For the Eyes & Ears

Here are two I ran across yesterday.

First, courtesy of Keith Harris at Cosmic America – very well done on many levels. Watch this Wesley Jensen bit a few times full screen – it gets better every time, and even stitch nazis will dig it. Go here for some background and a “making of” piece – the reenactor groups are the 72nd NY, 42nd VA and Hurt’s Battery (see here).

Next from Lee White at Army of Tennessee. Not much of a video, but I’ve been a Leon Russell fan for a long time.