Songs of War

One of the most lasting monuments to the spirit of a time of war is the music most remembered by the soldiers who participated and the popular spirit of the time.  After years of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Dixie" and living through the bloody reality, the ultimate song of the Civil War was "Tenting Tonight," a lament seeking an ending. It's opening lyric :

" We're tenting tonight on the old campground
give us a song of cheer.
Our weary hearts, a song of home,
and friends we love so dear.

Many of the hearts that are weary tonight,
wishing for the war to cease;
Many of the hearts that are looking for the right
to see the dawn of peace." 

By the time of the Spanish-American War, the misery of the Civil War behind us, "jingoism" was all the rage. Sample a portion of a popular ditty of the day; from "On the Transport:"

"The starry flag, the stricken Maine, 
the sulking foes, the search to find 'em,
the vicious cowardice of Spain
the darling Girls they left behind 'em."

By World War I, Irving Berln's tunes captured the spirit of the times, confident and militaristic.

    "Over there, over there, send the word, 
    send the word over there,
    that the yanks are coming........."

Later in the war, however, an English song "There's a long, long trail a-winding" reflecting the weariness, became more popular.

World War II, a different harvest, one of tenderness, humor and nostalgia, a longing for home. The most remembered :

"Don't sit under the apple tree 
 with anyone else but me.
 Till I come marching home."

and

"I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me.....
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams."


The Korean War seemed to have no music of it's own, the irreverent tunes remembered were "Rag Mop" a singular annoying bit of drivel played by sadistic D.I.'s at reveille and a jolly ditty about a pawn shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
As if it never happened and we weren't there.

Vietnam produced a few tunes, truly reflecting of the mood of those who soldiered there. The leading contenders :

"The eve of destruction" and "We've gotta get out of this place"reflected once and for all the viewpoint of the troops, despite the politics and world view of the era.

The Iraq war have yet to put their stamp on American music but it is extremely doubtful that it will resound with pleasant nostalgia.