The poignant lyrics to this song were adapted to music in 1864 by Henry Clay Work who composed songs such as "Grandfather's Clock" and "Marching Through Georgia." This ballad is practically unknown even to the most avid of Civil War music enthusiast. I felt compelled to perform it in my own attempt to portray the feelings of the families who survived the sacrifice of a beloved husband, father, or son for a cause in which they believed was right. The sentiments of this song are universal and still are true in every war from the Civil War to Afghanistan and beyond.
More ballads of the period from Tom Roush
