Ellsworth, the Chicago law clerk who outfitted his regiment in Zouave-style uniforms and who reportedly was the first Union officer to die. Root & Cady wrote a requiem march to honor Col. These same Chicago music publishers also remembered and supported their own local heroes and volunteers. While admirable for all of its emancipatory zeal, today's audiences would find the heavy dialect used in the lyrics inappropriate. Provocative for its age, the cover illustration depicts seven armed African Americans aiming their weapons at a fleeing plantation owner. Work in 1863, "Babylon Is Fallen!" attempted to imagine the perspective of the black U.S. Significantly, Root & Cady also produced music that spoke to the war's aim to end slavery. The song's 1865 sequel, "On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching!," celebrated the liberation of the prisoners through the efforts of General Sherman and others. "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" was a popular prison tune written in 1864 to lift the spirits of Union soldiers held in Confederate camps. These songs also tell the stories of the war. Root & Cady followed up this success with marches, ballads, polkas, duets and other types of songs to honor war heroes, inspire troops and motivate home-front relief efforts. By today's standards, it would be a gold record. It's estimated that up to 700,000 copies of the song were printed during the Civil War era.
Northern audiences and soldiers sang, "Yes we'll rally around the flag." as quickly as the young publishing company could keep up with demand. Root's "Battle Cry of Freedom" was an instant success. In fact, Chicago music publisher Root & Cady became a household name with its song in response to President Lincoln's July 1862 call for an additional 300,000 volunteers to serve the Union Army. Today, Chicago is best known for blues, gospel or house music, but 158 years ago a rousing march or heartfelt ballad was in high demand. Ellsworth Requiem March, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 72.973 We Are The Gay & Happy Suckers of the State of Illinois We Are The Gay & Happy Suckers of the State of Illinois, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 72.612 Band of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps Band of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, American Civil War Photographs, 72.759.2 The Battle Cry of Freedom, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 87.11.7Īs Chicago celebrates the Year of Chicago Music, here's a look at one aspect of the city's rich musical heritage. Root, circa 1865, American Civil War Documents, 72.534 On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching!, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 90.24.4 Babylon is Fallen! Babylon is Fallen!, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 76.351 Col. Battle Cry of Freedom The Battle Cry of Freedom, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 87.11.7 Thousand Years Thousand Years, American Civil War Era Sheet Music Collection, 76.35.2.1 On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching! On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching!, manuscript lyrics by George F.
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