Popular Songs

Many popular songs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries were not written by Americans. Most came from Europe, especially from England, Scotland, and Ireland, and became well-known in the United States as people immigrated from these countries.

Most songs in the 18^th century are about love, similar to today. Most of the songs sung before the Revolutionary War are not still known today; however, many people do know the song Over the Hills and Far Away, which was popular during this time.

Songs from the Revolutionary War period were mainly about specific battles, gaining freedom, and defeating the British. One song, How Happy the Soldier, was all about how happy the soldiers were to be fighting and how strong they were. Most of these songs were lost in the years; however, Yankee Doodle did transcend the years.

Once again, before the Civil War, most songs were about love. Many others, though, were about their newfound freedom, such as America (or My Country ‘Tis of Thee), The Patriotic Diggers, and The Star Spangled Banner, now the national anthem, was written during this time. Many other songs were about the singer’s past, having them reminisce on their childhood. Sons such as The Old Oaken Bucket; Woodman, Spare that Tree; and Van Diemen’s Land show this well.

During the Civil War, songs either “belonged” to the Confederates or the Union. One song, Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! originally belonged to the Union, but it got so popular that the Confederates stole it and changed the lyrics. Some songs still known today are Battle Hymn of the Republic, John Brown’s Body, and When Johnny Comes Marching Home.

Popular songs after the Civil War are now popular children’s songs. Grandfather’s Clock, Clementine, and I’ve Been Working on the Railroad are still sung today, especially by children.

"Yankee Doodle." Contemplations from the Marianas Trench/Folk Music of Britain, Ireland & America. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .

Genres of Music from 1606-1900

Music can help interpret history. People write what they feel, and if others can relate to it, even better. “Music can offer a more accurate picture of people and events than any other method available.” This is a very true statement, especially when historians have little to base facts off.

In the Colonial Era, from about 1606-1776, religious music was popular, especially English hymns brought to America. Around 1667, Benjamin Franklin published a book of ballads and operas also came onto the scene. Religious music, nursery rhymes, ballads, and political songs were the most popular. Songs to represent this time period are A Mighty Fortress is Our God, The Eighth of January, and Yankee Doodle.

Printing single songs began during the Revolutionary War and the post-colonial era. African slaves began to write music, and folk music and ballads were very popular. Music was still very closely linked to England. In 1814, the Star Spangled Banner was written. Other representations of this period are Rock of Ages, America, Oh Shenandoah!, Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, and Johnny’s Gone For a Soldier. The most popular genres were fiddle tunes, negro spirituals and slave songs, and folk music.

During the Civil War and the Reconstruction era was all about political and military events. Some good examples are still well known today, such as Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, and Carry me Back to Old Virginny. The popular genres of music diversified, including Civil War music, gospel, Mother Goose, work songs (for railroads and western expansion), ragtime, Broadway musicals, old time music, Texas music, minstrelry, and jazz. Folklore music also began its roots there, including Indians’, negroes’, mountaineers’, cowboys’, lumberjacks’, and sailors’ music.

Types of Music

Most music from the early 19^th century had a religious connotation. Some examples are Amazing Grace and Coronation. The first music books printed were also religious, such as Episcopalian Harmony, Evangelical Harmony, and Plain Psalmody. To make it easier for Americans to sing hymns, Little and Smith wrote The Easy Instructor in 1801. It used shape notation, which is when the notes have different shapes, which helps people learn their parts of a song more quickly. Many religious musical groups also popped up, such as the Dartmouth Handel Society.

Country singers, which made up 95% of the American population, did not need books to tell them the tunes, just the words. The songs were sung to well-known melodies. Many also liked to visit others, dance, play and listen to music, walk, play games, and a variety of other activities. They also enjoyed going to camp meetings, or religious revivals, in which everyone would join together to sing and pray. At one meeting, more than 10,000 people showed up.

Popular songs were commonly from other countries, such as England and Scotland. Greensleeves and Froggy Went A-Courtin’ were two popular tunes to sing. The first orchestra in the United States was the Harvard College Orchestra, which was organized in 1809.

While on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, boatman Pierre Cruzatte would play his fiddle to entertain these explorers and the Indians. Indians believed that music was magical, and enjoyed it greatly. However, most of theirs was not written down until the late 1800s, so most was, sadly, lost.

Revolutionary War Instruments

A wide variety of instruments were used around the Revolutionary War time period. Most instruments that exist today were played during this time.

The most popular instrument during the Revolutionary War was the violin. All classes played this instrument: from Thomas Jefferson to indentured servants to slaves. The price could be extremely high or very cheap, mainly because most of the violins were imported. For the most part, the violin was reserved for men to play.

The next most popular instrument was the flute. There were many different kinds of flutes, such as the fife, the recorder (also called the common or English flute), and the transverse flute (also called the German flute). The flute was another instrument mainly played by males.

Women, on the other hand, had to keep up a reputation, so they had few instrumental options to play. The English guitar, which no longer exists, had a flat back and a teardrop shape. It had ten strings, and was similar to the Renaissance cittern. The English guitar was tuned to an open C chord.

Wealthy women had the opportunity to play the harpsichord. For many women, this was their instrument of choice, if they could afford to play it. They would practice frequently, and play only for family and friends.

The other acceptable instruments during the Revolutionary War period were the harp and the Baroque guitar. The Baroque guitar is similar to today’s guitars, only smaller, and with only ten strings.

Drums, trumpets, trombones, French horns, cellos, violas de gamba, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, glass harmonicas, hammered dulcimers, and organs were also popular instruments in the colonies for men during the Revolutionary War.