The Good Old Songs We Used to Sing, '61 to '65

Excerpt

 Bring the good old 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, 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.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 rebel said, and ’twas a handsome boast;
Had they not forgotten, 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.

 

A THOUSAND YEARS.

 

[Listen] [Notation]

Key of C.

SOLID SHOT.Lift up your eyes, desponding freemen!
Fling to the winds your needless fears!
He who unfurled your beauteous banner
Says it shall wave a thousand years.

Chorus.

“A thousand years!” my own Columbia!
’Tis the glad day so long foretold!
’Tis the glad morn whose early twilight
Washington saw in times of old.What if the clouds one little moment
Hid the blue sky where morn appears
When the bright sun that tints them crimson
Rises to shine a thousand years!—Chorus.

Tell the great world these blessed tidings!
Yes, and be sure the bondman hears;
Tell the oppress’d of ev’ry nation
Jubilee lasts a thousand years.—Chorus.

Envious foes beyond the ocean!
Little we heed your threat’ning sneers;
Little will they—our children’s children
When you are gone a thousand years.—Chorus.

Rebels at home! go hide your faces—
Weep for your crimes with bitter tears;
You could not bind the blessed daylight,
Though you should strive a thousand years.—Chorus.
Back to your dens, ye secret traitors!
Down to your own degraded spheres!
Ere the first blaze of dazzling sunshine
Shortens your lives a thousand years.—Chorus.

Haste thee along, thou glorious noonday!
Oh! for the eyes of ancient seers!
Oh! for the faith of Him who reckons
Each of His days a thousand years.—Chorus.

SHERIDAN’S CAVALRY CORPS.

 

[Listen] [Notation]

Copyrighted.

Hail Columbia! happy land!
Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band!
Who fought and bled in Freedom’s cause,
Who fought and bled in Freedom’s cause,
And when the storm of war was gone
Enjoyed the peace your valor won.
Let Independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.
Firm united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty;
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.
MAJ. GEN’L JOHN A. M’CLERNAND.Immortal patriots, rise once more,
Defend your rights, defend your shore,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Invade the shrine where sacred lies,
Of toil and blood the well-earned prize....