Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-15

Mhe MItnhteatsr.
FRIDAY MORNING. JAN. Is 1855.
LOCAL.
THE last ISSUE OF WAR
POETRY AT THE SOUTH.
ORIGINAL WAR POEMS MIXED WITH
LOVE soNGs-soME FAMILIAR SONGS
RECALLED-A SAD BUT INTERESTING
RECALLING OF OLD AND HARD TIMES.
&C., &C., &C.
We have before US a little pamphlet OF
three by five inches in siza, OF worn yell
low-stained paper. Its poverty stricken
look has pathetic look. and the more 80
when we know that it is the last publica-
ton of war songs that was made in the
Ill fated confederate States of America
It was published in Stanton in 1865, the
last year of the civil war, and here is Its
title page 1.-The Cavalier Songster. con-
tanning Splendid Collection of Original
and Selected Songs, compiled and arranged
especially tor the southern Public; Staun-
ton, Va 1867 Which of the poems
filling it's forty eight pages, are original,
and which are not, is nowhere stated
Among the war poems are thickly scat
tered a number OF more peaceful nature.
Some Negro Minstrel ballads which
had been made familiar at the South just
before the opening of hostilities, are print
ed in it, such as "Cora Lee" ''Lorena,"
"'Cottage by the Sea- Ever of Thee"
sHer Bright Smile Haunts me still."--
With them are inserted some OF the old
standard songs which have been heard
possibly by very few of the present gener-
alton, such as loft in the Silly night"
''Thou hast wounded the spirit that loved
thee" 1.-The Dying Soldier" annie
Laurie" IAN 1 not fondly thine own,"
'Juanita, maggie by my side." Ia song
made famous in that day by Maggie
Mitchell the actress, ''Twilight Dews,"
and the like. For the use of the soldiers,
who were not as body supposed to be
familiar with music sufficiently to learn
new airs, the original songs were set to
the music of we'll known airs. The first
song in the book is the Cavaliers Glee,"
(set to the air of Pirates Glee) and We
give an extract from it:
CAVALIER 8 GLEE.
Spur on, spur on, we love the bounding
dc hat -, I,
The charge our bugles now are sounding,
And our bold Rosser leads the way.
The path of honor lies before us,
Our hated foemen gather fast
CHORUS.
AT home bright eyes are sparkling for Us,
We will defend them to the last.
THE PRIvATEER ALABAMA.
The next song is entitled the Gala.
bama." 1t was prophetic of the fate Of
that gallant Confederate war ship. Here
is verse:
Our country calls all hands to arms,
We hear but to obey,
Nor shall homes most endearing charms
Steal one weak thought away.
Our saucy craft shall roam the deep,
We've sworn lads, to defend her;
Trim, taut and tight we'll brave the fight,
Our motto mo Surrender !"
CHORUS.
Then sling the bowl, drink every soul,
toast to the Alabama;
What'er our lot, through storm or shot,
Here's success to the Alabama.
Boys if perchance it may befall,
When storm of battle raves,
By shot or shell our noble hull
Shall sink beneath the waves,
Yet while plank to us is left
To death we will defend her;
Facing the foe, down, down, We'll go,
But still CRY mo Surrender!"
CHoRus.-Then sling the bowl, DC.
"AsHBY's DEATH"
This song Is to be sung to the air of
.'Annie Laurie. :" and has four double STAN
Gas, of which this is one:
A wall sweeps DER the Valley,
Virginias deep with woe.
Her noble sons and daughters
In mournful grief bend low
In mournful grief bend low,
Above the fallen brave;
The high-souled gallant Ashby,
Who sleeps in glorys grave.
And this is followed by another song
entitled ''Ashby's Avengers" which is
set to the air of annie Lyle" This is
the closing verse:
Invaders hands shall never sunder
That for which you died.
Here's the pledge our lips now utter,
To our nations pride;
By the glorious cause of freedom,
By our flag on high,
Ashby's name and proud example
Nevermore shall die.
CHORUS
Strike Southrons for your freedom
Sheathe your swords no more,
Whilst remains in arms yankee
On Virginia's shore.
DEFENDING WASHINGTON s GRAVE.
Another poem entitled 1.-The Land Of
Washington" sets forth in five verses, to
the tune of Annie Laurie" what seems
to have been favorite of that day, the idea
that Virginia was called on to defend the
grave of Washington from 'the Northern
Vandals." Two verses of 1t give an idea
of the whole:
Mount Vernon's shrine is holy,
Where Washington doth lie,
And to protect his ashes,
Well lay us down and die
Well lay us down and die,-
Yes, ev'ry valiant son,
TO save from desecration
The Grave of Washington!
But if you dare invade us,