
This marks the 30th anniversary of the Folk Den. My maternal grandfather was born in the late 1800s. He used to sing this song to me when I was a child.
I received this recording from a talented multi-instrumentalist named L.J. Slavin
who gave me his CD and permission to use it for November’s Folk Den post.
History of the song
Major General Sherman’s March to the Sea commenced on November 15, 1864.
This instrumental starts off with banjo but really builds as it goes along. Arranged, and performed by L.J. on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, autoharp, flute, pennywhistle, harmonica, jew’s harp and the musical saw!
It’s really great to hear people performing traditional music!!!
LYRICS:
Bring the good old bugle boys! we’ll sing another song,
Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along;
Sing it as we used to sing it fifty thousand 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.
Yes, and there were Union men who wept with joyful tears,
When they saw the honor’d 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—three hundred to the main;
Treason fled before us for resistance was in vain,
While we were marching through Georgia.
(CHORUS)
Henry Clay Work Circa 1865