"Marching Through Georgia"
In 1865, renowned American composer, Henry Clay Work composed the song “Marching Through Georgia.” He wrote this piece in honor of General Sherman’s ‘march to the sea,’ in which General Sherman and his army traveled from Georgia up the country towards the North leaving destruction and devastation in the South. “Arguably, the most famous war-song ever written, it became a standard at political conventions, veteran reunions, and military parades in the post war era,” (Juhnke p. 30). The lyrics of this song celebrate the Union victory in the war and praise the “flag that makes you free,” the flag of the Union, which symbolizes an end to slavery. The musical accompaniment of the song is upbeat and celebratory, which agrees with the lyrics. Although this song was extremely positive for the Union, it celebrates one of the most devastating events of the Civil War for the Confederacy, and today is still associated with an extremely negative response in the South. In fact, in some places in the Southern part of the United States, it is illegal to sing.
Ring the good ol' bugle, boys, we'll sing another song,
Sing it with the spirit that will start the world along,
Sing it as we used to sing it 50,000 strong
While we were marching through Georgia.
CHORUS:Hurrah, hurrah, we bring the jubilee!
Hurrah, hurrah, the flag that makes you free!
So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea
While we were marching through Georgia!
How the darkies shouted when they heard the joyful sound!
How the turkeys gobbled which our commissary found!
How the sweet potatoes even started from the ground
While we were marching through Georgia!
CHORUS
Yes, and there were Union men who wept with joyful tears
When they saw the honored flag they had not seen for years.
Hardly could they be restrained from breaking forth in cheers
While we were marching through Georgia!
CHORUS
"Sherman's dashing Yankee boys will never reach the coast!"
So the saucy rebels said, and 'twas a handsome boast,
Had they not forgot, alas, to reckon with the host
While we were marching through Georgia!
CHORUS
So we made a thoroughfare for freedom and her train,
Sixty miles in latitude, 300 to the main.
Treason fled before us, for resistance was in vain
While we were marching through Georgia!
CHORUS