Causes of the Civil War Music

Causes of the Civil War Music

Chris Vallillo, Abraham Lincoln in Song (2007)

Contemporary roots singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo honors his fellow Illinoisian as well as his state's deep musical traditions with this masterpiece of slide guitar twang and mesmerizing vocals.

Second South Carolina String Band, Southern Soldier: Favorite Camp Songs of the Civil War (1996)

Although this disc's title implies that its tracks were heard only in Confederate camps, some of the selections here were familiar to soldiers in both the North and the South. In fact, the Second South Carolina String Band performs songs, such as "Boatman's Dance," "Zip Coon," and "Palmetto Quickstep," that were known to people throughout the country during the fighting years as well as in the tumultuous time leading up to the war.

Various Artists, Songs of the Civil War (1991)

Inspired by the release of director Ken Burns' epic Civil War documentary, a group of contemporary rock, soul, and blues singers collaborated to perform their own renditions of war-era compositions. Don't miss Sweet Honey in the Rock's performing "No More Auction Block For Me," Kathy Mattea singing "The Southern Soldier Boy," Judy Collins's interpretation of "Battle Hymn of the Republic (John Brown's Body)," and so many more.

James Horner, Glory: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1990)

Composer James Horner crafted this thunderous backdrop to director Edward Zwick's Civil War drama about the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, the first all-Black unit to serve the United States Army.

Various Artists, The Civil War: Traditional American Songs and Instrumental Music Featured in the Film by Ken Burns (1990)

Check out this soundtrack, complete with gripping war-era gems, from the Emmy Award-winning television documentary series about the deadliest war in American history.