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Not band performances here; rather compositions.
Song Info
Genre
Charts
Peak #220
Peak in subgenre #84
Author
M G Jacobs (largely based on Civil War era music)
Rights
2010
Uploaded
June 01, 2010
Track Files
MP3
MP3 9.6 MB • 128 kbps • 10:32
Story behind the song
Regimental bands were known to carry on the war, in a way, by competing with each other, when camps were close, during the evening.
The Libretto tends to lose its format when inserted into the lyrics section below. A small PDF is available, simply by putting Nelly IX in the subject of an email. It will be sent as a reply.
Lyrics
The Search for Nelly Gray, IX The Battle of the Bands
Strings and percussion in their usual positions. Wind and brass players split, with the Confederate band on the left side of the stage and the Union band on the right.
Musicians in the Confederate band
practice in the background
Confederate band master: The usual, sir
Colonel: The Bon- nie Blue---- Flag. What else? Though the Yanks are sure- ly bored by now, as we are with their Bat- tle Cry.
The i- de- a is to strike a fear that will rob their rest, and make them wake un-eas- y and feel un-nerved;
like the song that says, we'll heap their corp- ses for vul- tures to---- feed up- on.
Band master (aside): Or the song the Sher- man's ruff- 'ans sing as they scorch Geor- g'a...
Colonel: The Un- ion band will play up- on the o- pen field be- low this--- ridge, we will hold to-mor-row.
Band master: Their "Bat- tle Cry," then some-thing to make them think.
(The Union Major, bandmaster, and a black soldier
are in conversation on the opposite side of the stage during
this section, and the Union band gradually filters in.)
Colonel: Play--- them out and play your ve- ry best.
(Bandmaster salutes; turns to band)
Orchestral Introduction.
(Tenor & Mens Chorus: )
Hur- rah, hur- rah! For South- ern rights, hur- rah!
Hur- rah for the Bon- nie Blue Flag that bears a sin- gle star.
(Bass/Baritone & Chorus:)
First gal- lant South Car- 'lin- a nob- ly made her stand,
Then came Al- a- bam---------- a, who took her by the hand.
Then quick- ly Mis- sis- sip- pi, Georg- 'a and Flor- i- da,
Now ral- ly round the Bon- nie Blue Flag that bears a sin- gle star.
And here's to brave Vir- gin- ia, the Old Do- min- ion State,
(Tenor and Chorus)
With the young Con- fed- 'ra- cy at length has linked her fate.
(Bass/Baritone and Chorus)
Im- pelled by her ex- am- ple, now o- ther states pre- pare
(Tenor and Chorus)
to hoist on high the Bon- nie Blue Flag that bears a sin- gle star.
(Tenor,Bass, Chorus)
Then cheer boys, cheer boys, cheer, and raise the joy-ous shout,
for Ar- kan- saw and North Car- 'lin- a now have both gone out.
And let an- oth- er rous- ing cheer for Ten- nes- see be gi-ven,
The sin- gle star of the Bon- nie Blue Flag has grown to be e-lev-en.
Then here's to Con-fed- 'ra-cy, strong we are and brave.
Like pa-tri-ots of old we'll fight our he-ri-tage to save;
And ra-ther than sub-mit to shame, to die we would pre-fer,
so cheer for the Bon- nie Blue Flag that bears a sin- gle star.
Hur-rah, hur-rah! For South- ern rights, hur- rah!
Hur-rah for the Bon-nie Blue Flag has gained the 'lev- enth star.
(Union band master has made his way down the slope, waving a large white hankerchief. Comes up behind Confederate band master.)
Union band master, smiling, holding out his hand: I knew you by that whis-tle.
(Confederate band master turns, recognizes him, they embrace): Jim--- my!
Union band master: Con-ser-va-to-ry seems...
Confederate band master: Yes, an age a- go.
Union band master: And now wh're who knows where, but----------------------- soon...
Confederate band master: Now here we are------------------------ soon?
Union band master): we will be back in New---------------------------------York
stud- y- ing me my pi- an- o, you your vi- o- lin.
Confederate band master: Or per- haps At- lan- ta.
Union band master: You've not heard?
Confederate band master: Vicks- burg? And Geor- g'a? Of course.
But Some------------- where sure- ly a- gain.
Union band master: Well, some- where then.
(shake hands and embrace again)
Confederate band master: Go down and play your Bat- tle Cry. I know you'll do it well.
Union band master: You go a- head, I have just one to- night.
The----- Ma- jor's choice--------
(begins t o walk down the hi
