Tenting on the Old Camp Ground
1863, Walter Kittredge (1834 – 1905) [piano: Oliver Ditson & Co.]
Anxious about serving in the war, Kittredge wrote Tenting on the eve of his draft induction. He was rejected for duty due to a history of Rheumatic fever. His song was then rejected by music publishers who were seeking rally songs and his was too gloomy. Having sung earlier with the Hutchinson Family, Kittredge presented Tenting to Asa Hutchinson, who championed the song and had it published, taking half the royalties as reward. It remains unknown if the bugle call introduction was Kittredge's or added by Hutchinson or the publisher. Coming late in the war, the song was most successful after the war, especially at GAR reunions.
traditional Irish [Stratton’s Military Band Journal]
Thady You Gander is a Country Dance (Contra-dance) that is danced by four to six couples and is similar to a reel. This medley consists of three traditional Irish tunes: “Paddy Whack,” “The Black Joke,” and “Thady You Gander.” The lyrics to “Paddy Whack” refer to fighting in pubs. “The Black Joke,” as defined in the 1785 dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, was a popular tune with the repeating line “Her black joke and belly so white,” which is characterized as signifying the monosyllable. In polite circles, the monosyllable is defined as “a woman’s commodity.” This is one of the ribald tunes collected by Robert Burns in his “Merry Tunes of Caledonia.”
1843, Michael William Balfe (1808 – 1870) [Dodworth's Brass Band School, 1853]
The complete title of this tenor aria from Balfe's The Bohemian Girl is “When Hollow Hearts Shall Wear a Mask, Then You'll Remember Me.” This was his most successful opera and propelled him to international fame and riches. Many of his works remained “standards” into the 1900's. Sell-out performances continued for over 100 nights at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The most famous selection form the opera is the soprano aria “I dreamt I dwelt in Marble Halls.”
1849, George Linley (1798 – 1865) [26th NC, C.S.A. Band Books]
The alternative title of this lovely song is “The Spirit of Love Keeps A Watch Over Me.” The titles suggest this may have been used at funeral and memorial services but would not be out of place at a twilight serenade.
Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! (or The Prisoner's Hope)
1864, George F. Root (1820 – 1895) [piano: Root & Cady]
With the whole nation wondering about the status of loved ones in enemy prisons, Root capitalized with the introduction of Tramp! It was an immediate success with its universal sentiment and rousing melody. Within 6 months of release, it had sold 100,000 copies. Today it is known as Jesus Loves the Little Children and God Save Ireland.
Tu che a Dio from Lucia di Lammermoor
1835, Gaetano Donizetti (1797 – 1848) [26th NC, C.S.A. Band Books]
This is the Finale of Donizetti's tragic opera. The title, Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali, translates as “You, beloved, who have winged to God…look upon me.” Edgar, tormented by his beloved Lucy's forced marriage to Arthur, considers suicide and upon hearing that she has died, after murdering Arthur, realizes his fate and stabs himself. The setting is Scotland and is loosely based on Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor, one of The Waverley Novels, which itself, reflected some fact as Scott was taken to task by the family of the Earl of Stair. The family preferred a version where Arthur is not killed by the insane Lucy, but by the Master of Ravenswood, who had breached the bridal chamber and dueled with the bridegroom.
Ironically, this deeply tragic selection was performed by the 26th NC Band during the cannonade preceding the Confederate advance on July 2nd 1863 where such terrible losses were incurred at The Peach Orchard, The Wheatfield, Devil’s Den and finally, Little Round Top. The 26th and 11th NC Regiments had already endured losses of nearly 75% on July 1, when they were pitted against Solomon Meredith’s “Iron Brigade.” It is interesting to note that the musicians assumed only those in the immediate area could hear them play above the canon fire, however; Lt. Col. Arthur Freemantle, an observer from the British Coldstream Guards, noted in his diary that he could hear the band playing “polkas and waltzes . . . accompanied by the hissing and bursting of shells” from his vantage point atop a tree at lee’s Headquarters. Shortly after concluding the serenade and departing for the hospital, a cannonball burst where they had played. Union artillery had apparently focused on the sound of the band.
186-, ? [26th North Carolina C.S.A. Band Books]
The first Regiment to be formed from the Salem, North Carolina area was the 11th NCV under Col. W.W. Kirkland. Six months later, the unit was re-designated the 21st Regt. North Carolina Troops, C.S.A. This selection was probably written by Edward Leinbach, as was much of the 26th's book. Edward's brother, Julius, was a member of the 26th NC Band.
Twinkling Stars & Far Away: Q.S.
John P. Ordway & J.R. Thomas (1829 – 1896) [3rd NH “Port Royal” Band Books]
“Twinkling stars are laughing, Love; Laughing at you and me.”