American Civil War music is some of the most emotional and gripping art of the 19th century. The music of the Civil War era captures the trying times that torn a young nation apart.
These songs and hymns reflect the feelings of the nation as brother was pitted against brother in the fight to keep the nation united.
Civil War music is some of the most compelling of any musical era. It expresses the tragedy of the day while providing hope for the future.
On this page, we’ll check out some of the most popular and well-known musical works of the civil war, so you can better understand this era.
Music of the Civil War
Contents
Here is a chronological list of Civil War Music that not only impacted modern music but also impacted the fate of the war itself.
Civil War Music in 1861
| Song | Songwriter: Words | Songwriter: Music |
|---|---|---|
| A Nation's Trust in God | Miss Cynthia Bullock | Arrangement by S. Lasar |
| A National Lyric | Richard S. Willis | George J. Huss |
| Adieu!! to the Star Spangled Banner for Ever | Ella D. Clark | J. R. Boulcott, Op. 41 |
| Alice Where Art Thou? | Wellington Guernsey | Joseph Ascher |
| All Hail to the Flag of Freedom | William W. Skaats | Melody: William W. Skaats Trio: S. Knaebel |
Civil War Music in 1862
| Song | Songwriter: Words | Songwriter: Music |
|---|---|---|
| A Cheer for the West | Park Benjamin | Rev. J. L. Lower |
| A Cypress Wreath for Lancashire | Anonymous | William Downing Evans |
| A Mother's Prayer | Luigi Mercantini | Otto Sutro |
| All Forward! (Garibaldi's Hymn) | C. M. Sawyer | Alessia Olivieri, Arrangement: Pasquale Rondinella |
| All Hail to the Day (Patriotic Song) | J. Gordon Emmons | W. Williams |
Civil War Music in 1863
| Song | Songwriter: Words | Songwriter: Music |
|---|---|---|
| '63 Is the Jubilee | J. L. Greene | D. L. French |
| A Prayer for Peace | Anonymous | Otto Sutro |
| A Prayer for the Absent | Miss Helene Osgood | James Gaspard Maeder |
| A Toast to New Year | J. M. Swift | J. H. Ross |
| Abraham My Abraham | William K. O'Donoughue | Arrangement: Charles G. Degenhard |
Civil War Music in 1864
| Song | Songwriter: Words | Songwriter: Music |
|---|---|---|
| A Tear for the Comrade That's Gone | Capt. T. F. Winthrop | A. J. Abbey |
| About to Die, They Salute Thee | Private Miles O'Reilly | E. G. B. Holder |
| Abraham's Daughter | Anonymous | Arrangement: F. H. G. Oldfield |
| Abraham the Great and General Grant His Mate | Anonymous | T. Brigham Bishop |
| Abraham's Tea Party | John Hugh McNaughton | John Hugh McNaughton |
Civil War Music in 1865
| Song | Songwriter: Words | Songwriter: Music |
|---|---|---|
| A Hero Has Fallen | Sergt. J. A. Wilson | J. R. King, Lieut. 6th Regt. Conn. Vols. |
| A Hymn to Peace, or Prayer for Peace | A Lady of New Orleans | Eugene Bischoff |
| A Gloom Is Cast O'er All the Land! | Henry Schroeder | Henry Schroeder |
| A Grant Song | Eugene Batchelder | W. H. S. |
| A Mother's Last Prayer | Instrumental | George A. Mietzke |
