[WARNING: contains racial stereotypes. No hatred is intended. We present it in original form as part of musical history.]
a 1865 popular song
words and music by Henry Clay Work
This marching song is a retrospective look at the end of the Civil War. It would not be liked in the south because Sherman’s army destroyed the south as they went. This was to prevent a repeat by punishing the confederates. Of course, this gave rise to the saying, “The south shall rise again!” In honor of Major General Sherman’s famous march “from Atlanta to the Sea.”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. 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
2. How the darkeys 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
3. 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
4. “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
5. 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
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Sung here by Fred Feild: