Confederate Songbird
«1/
MARY L. THORNTON
A (bin pamphlet of a size to slip
into a soldier's pocket was advertised
in 1864 by Branson and Farrar, Ra¬
leigh publishers, as "The Jack Mor¬
gan Songster, just issued, the latest and
most popular songs — price SI. 00."
Captain Thomas Allen Branson, C.S.A.,
modestly omitted his name on the
title page, only indicating the work
was by "a Captain in Gen. Lee's
Army." It was designed as a handy
collection of songs for use by the
soldier around the campfire, compact
and light enough to be carried on the
march.
Captain Branson, Company F.
Forty - Sixth North Carolina Regi¬
ment, was born February 5, 1838. in
Randolph County, the son of William
and Martha Nance Branson. He re¬
ceived the degree of A.M., Class of
1 860. Trinity College, serving as vale¬
dictorian of his class. He was a brother
of Levi Branson, his publisher, and
of Marinda Brunson Moore, author of
several popular textbooks. His service
in the Confederate Army extended
from April 17. 1862. when he was
commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the
Forty-Sixth Regiment, one month after
its organization, and was terminated
by his death in battle near Petersburg
on August 21. 1864. He had married
Elizabeth Gordon Sthrcshly of Staf¬
ford County, Virginia, that year with
Maj.-Gcn. Fitzhugh Lee as best man.
Captain Branson's regiment partici¬
pated in the Battle of Seven Pines,
was active in the capture of Harper's
Ferry and in the Battle of Sparpsburg
where it displayed great steadiness and
Fast-Acting
Gentle
Long-Lasting
Relief
HEADACHE
Rheumatic-like Pains
THE
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SONGSTER.
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САРГ
IN GEN. LEI'S
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И64.
courage. It was stationed immediately
behind the stone wall of Maryc’s
Heights at Fredericksburg, holding that
strategic point against the hopeless at¬
tack of Gen. Burnside's troops. In
May, 1864. it was engaged in the
Battle of the Wilderness, and pre¬
served its unity through the Siege of
Petersburg to lay down its arms at
Appomattox.
The title of The Jack Morgan Song¬
ster is taken from the leading song
which memorializes General John H.
Morgan, the Confederate raider who
commanded a cavalry division active
in Tennessee and Kentucky. The song
has the rhythm of a galloping horse.
lack Morgan was his name
The fearless and Ihe lucky;
No dastard foe can tame
The son of old Kentucky.
His heart is with his State
He fights for Southern freedom;
Mis men their General’s word await,
Ihcy'll go where he will lead ’em.
Many of ihe songs voice Ihe longing
of homesick boys, an emotion ex¬
pressed in soldier's songs of every era.
I remember the hour, when sadly wc parted.
Ihe tears on your pale check glistened like
dew.
When clasped in your arms almost broken
hearted
I swore by the bright sky I'd ever be true—
I rue to the love that nothing could sever.
And true to the flag of my country forever.
Chorus Then weep not, love, oh weep not.
think not hopes are vain,
l*oi when this fatal war is o'er.
We ll surely he meeting again.
Music for the songs is not included
though some have a well-known tune
indicated under the title. The air for
" Ihe Star Spangled Banner" is used
for two songs:
О
say. can you sec through the gloom and
the storm.
More bright for the darkness, that bright
constellation?
I ike the symbol of love and icdemption its
As it points to the haven of hope and the
nation
Now radiant each star, as the beacon afar
Giving promise of peace, or assurance of
war!
Tis the C ross of the South, which shall ever
remain.
To light us to freedom and glory again!
The same air is used for a dirge for
Sioncwall Jackson:
The war cry is hushed, and the battle is o'er;
No longer in strife are our bayonets gleam¬
ing.
l or gallantry far beyond the dark river
shore.
to the bonny blue flap in victory streaming.
No voice breaks the silence— no breath stirs
the air.
And the moon on the white tents shines wan
as with sorrow
The worn soldier watches for his chieftain
lies there . . .
There is a gay note, and an age-
old hope in one song:
There's a good time coming, boys
A good time coming;
War in men's eyes shall be
A monster of iniquity.
In the good time coming.
Nations shall not quarrel then.
I
о
prove which is the stronger.
Nor slaughter men for glory's sake:
Wait a little longer.
A copy of ihis little paper back
has been preserved in the Bruce Got¬
ten Collection of North Caroliniana in
the University of North Carolina Li¬
brary.
jar
CL eroLt
FUND, 7^"
on open-end Wutuol Fund
•Securities
leroteee ^Jecurities \^~*orp.
ROBf Rl l HUfMNCS. JR., Cho^mon THOMAS c. OARST. JR.. ?r
270 MADISON AVI.. NIW YORK 16 • MU 9-5526
- PINEHURST, N. C. • YEMASEE. S. C. -
a
THE STATE. May 26. 1902
