Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-25
The SONGS We Sung.

Nothing wakes the memories OF DINER
GAYS" like the songs that were tnen Ia
miliar and dear TO us. They bring BACK
on! Of the dreamful past voices long
stilled; they reproduce scenes that have
shifted with the drama of war; they reeaii
sweet illusions that have faded away before
the stern realities Of the practical present.
The Confederate soldier was eminently q
merry. songful spirit before the days OF
starvation and defeat came and even after
wards many nm hungry and dispirited one
charmed away care and dread forebodings
by humming the simple and pathetic melo-
dies which were so well known TO the camp
and march. and which, if not the actual
product of the war. were drafted out Of
the great world of song to be the comfort
OF the soldiorv.
In nearly every command there was q
glee club. whose delight il was in the long,
weacy winter nights 10 gather around
roaring fire ii; the fuel could be obtained)
and sing the songs of home, patriotism,
and love. In the summer time, IN briet
intervals when the enemy was not IN sight'
these bright fellows would assemble under
some wide-spreading oak and make the very
woods resound with their lusty choruses.
Often the songs were jolly. and then mer-
riment and laughter would rule the hour.
Then would come those battle-balIads
firing the heroic southern blood. when the
swelling heart and flashing eye would give
earnest TO the determination ito live and
die for Dixie" Then would come the
plaintive reminder Of 1.-THE Old Folks at
Home" Yes, poor old fathers and
mothers. working patiently for bread
for Misunderstanding IN hope anu
fear to hear from the latest battle,
bearing burdens of care and sorrow which
were not illumined, as were tho soldiers
with the stirring incidents of the march
or the excitement Of conflict. In Annie
Laurie" in MARY Of Argyle" in - Lore
ma, III dozen others, the bronZed veteran,
not seldom with tears coursing his cheeks,
uttered his affection for some dear one who
al home in her slat-bonnet, plain home
spun dress, and coarse, wartime shoes,
was working TO keep the wolf from the
door, while she sent to her soldier-loyer
messages and mementoes that nerved HIM
20 meet all his trials and inspired him to
believe when this cruel war is over" he
would be repaid by tender chances and
wears of affection for all his patriotic sacri-
fees, for his expenditure of blood, and
time. and treasure. Let Me Kiss Him for
His Mother" and Somebody's Darling"
told the saddest stories of all, as they spoke
Of the then familiar spectacle of wounds
and death.
Dear memories of "a grand struggled Do
the children of to-day--can those who are
10 come after us in the far future-get
CLEAN OF the spirit that animated the men
and women of ls6l'65I
One month we saw the storm-cloud gath
ering. Another, and we saw 1t burst.
Farms, workshops, Offices were deserted
Everywhere was heard the drum-beat. The
women toiled night and day TO make uni
forms and to fashion flags. The men gath
cred in camps of rendezvous. The work
OF fortifying was begun. The face Of
nature was almost changed. Battles,
sieges, wounds, death. The survivors
stuck to their lines. Their mothers, wives,
sisters. and sweethearts. the feeble oldme
and little boys, and the darkies had to sup
ply them with food and raiment. The ports
of the world were closed against us. The
blockade was almost perfect. Reverses
lost us territory. Narrower and narrower
grew our Confederate limits. Fewer and
fewer were the men to hold the lines. Des-
peration and Appomattox followed. All
that valor could achieve was done; but
vainly could human courage and endu-
rance withstand the odds against US.
Such times gave popularity to all and
birth TO many of the songs aud poems we
reproduce this morning. They are the
musical, If somewhat mournful, echoes OF
the long ago. With them come trooping
faces from the spirit-land.
"And are they really dead, our martyred slain
No dreamersl morn shah bid them rise again
From every valo-from every height
On which they SEEMED 20 die for right
Their gallant spirits shall renew The eight
In th9 land where were dreaming"