Civil+War+Music

Note: The melody was composed by [|Jay Unger] and Molly Unger. Read their [|interview] about the song.The lyrics were written by [|Grian McGregor]. Listen to more [|Civil War music] and read the lyrics.

LYRICS

Ashokan Farewell

The sun is sinking low in the sky above Ashokan. The pines and the willows know soon we will part. There's a whisper in the wind of promises unspoken, And a love that will always remain in my heart.

My thoughts will return to the sound of your laughter, The magic of moving as one, And a time we'll remember long ever after The moonlight and music and dancing are done.

Will we climb the hills once more? Will we walk the woods together? Will I feel you holding me close once again? Will every song we've sung stay with us forever? Will you dance in my dreams or my arms until then?

Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping Over the lake the stars shine. They wonder if you and I will be keeping The magic and music, or leave them behind.

Time for a farewell

I can see the distant light, hear the music all surrounding, That shatters the silence so heavy to bear, Lifts my soul into the night, fills my heart with love abounding, And brings me the peace we all surely will share.

Though it's time for farewell, the time for the parting, Whatever the dawn may bring, You'll be part of my heart, each living moment, Come summer, come Autumn, come Winter, come Spring.

AH! MAY THE RED ROSE LIVE ALWAY By Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864)

Ah! may the red rose live alway, To smile upon earth and sky! Why should the beautiful ever weep? Why should the beautiful die? Lending a charm to every ray That falls on her cheeks of light, Giving the zephyr kiss for kiss, And nursing the dew-drop bright -- Ah! may the red rose live alway, To smile upon earth and sky! Why should the beautiful ever weep? Why should the beautiful die?

Long may the daisies dance the field, Frolicking far and near! Why should the innocent hide their heads? Why should the innocent fear? Spreading their petals in mute delight When morn in its radiance breaks, Keeping a floral festival Till the night-loving primrose wakes -- Spreading their petals in mute delight When morn in its radiance breaks, Keeping a floral festival Till the night-loving primrose wakes.

Lulled be the dirge in the cypress bough, That tells of departed flowers! Ah! that the butterfly's gilded wing Fluttered in evergreen bowers! Sad is my heart for the blighted plants -- Its pleasures are aye as brief -- They bloom at the young year's joyful call, And fade with the autumn leaf: Ah! may the red rose live alway, To smile upon earth and sky! Why should the beautiful ever weep? Why should the beautiful die?

BEAUTIFUL DREAMER By Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864)

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day, Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away! Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song, List while I woo thee with soft melody; Gone are the cares of life's busy throng, Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie; Over the streamlet vapors are borne, Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn. Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart, E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea; Then will all clouds of sorrow depart, Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME By Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864)

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, 'Tis summer, the darkies are gay, The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, All merry, all happy, and bright: By'n by Hard Times comes a-knocking at the door, Then my old Kentucky Home, good night.

Chorus:

Weep no more, my lady, oh! weep no more today! We will sing a song for the old Kentucky Home, For the old Kentucky Home, far away.

They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon On the meadow, the hill and the shore, They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon, On the bench by that old cabin door. The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart, With sorrow where all was delight. The time has come when the darkies have to part, Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

The head must bow and the back will have to bend, Wherever the darkey may go: A few more days and the trouble all will end In the field where the sugar-canes may grow. A few more days for to tote the weary load, No matter 'twill never be light. A few more days till we totter on the road, Then my old Kentucky Home, good night.

Chorus

Music When Johnny Come Marching Home When this song was written "gay" meant happy media type="youtube" key="XNl7WyLbtvg"

Yanky doodle media type="youtube" key="aSqPkMLwwXs"