Instructors Amanda Clark, Joanna Freed, Cody Wheeler Class/Grade Level 7^th – 8^th grade Subject Songs of the Civil War                             Length 50 minutes

 

The students will gain introductory knowledge of music from the Civil War by completing a time line with 100% completion and an exit card with 80% accuracy. The students will also simulate battle cries of the North and South and make the connection that music is a good representation of culture and history.

 

Civil War, battle cry, tenting

 

Standard 6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

Benchmark 1: Analyze aural examples of a varied repertoire of music, representing diverse genres and cultures, by describing the uses of elements of music and expressive devices

 

Standard 8: Understanding relationship between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

Benchmark 2: The student compares characteristics of two or more arts, within a particular historical period or style, and cites examples from various cultures.

 

Standard 9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Benchmark 4: Identify and explain the stylistic features of a given musical work that serve to define its aesthetic tradition and its historical or cultural context

 

·      Time lines (one per student)

·      Audio recordings of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Bonnie Blue Flag”, “Johnny Comes Marching Home”, Just Before the Battle, Mother”, and “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground”

·      Sheet of lyrics including the songs listed above (one per student)

·      Bracelets (blue for half of the class, gray for the other half)

·      Sheets with battle cry of the north for half the class, and the south for the other half

·      CD Player

·      Dry Erase Markers/Chalk

 

Students with physical disabilities could have a paraeducator or fellow student fill out the time line for them. Students with learning disabilities would have different grading criteria for the time line and exit card. While in the simulation groups, students can assist those who need accommodations. Students unable to speak well could draw what their input to the simulation tribe.

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5 min. Anticipatory Set

(Draw horizontal line on the board to later serve as a timeline. Introduce ourselves and pass out the gray and blue bracelets.)

 

(Play “Battle Hymn of the Republic”) Does this song sound familiar? What is the title of it? What time period do you think it comes from? (Elaborate and give correct answers. Formally introduce the topic of our lesson.)

 

Anticipated student difficulties: The students may not know the song or be unwilling to participate.

           

Anticipated achievement goals: This will get the students interested in the topic by utilizing something aural and asking engaging questions.

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10 min.Section #1 - History Through Song

There is only so much we can learn from written documents. Music is an opportunity to be more intimate and relate and identify with the soldiers and citizens during this time of war while also learning about culture and history. You can learn much from the actual tunes and words of the songs. Music was a big part of war. Drums were used to keep the beat while marching. Music lifted spirits and instilled a sense of pride. You can learn about the American wars through music because there are songs from each. Why else would music be important during war times?

 

(Take answers and facilitate class discussion.)

 

The Civil War, which is the war we are focusing on, was not only about slavery. There were other issues that divided the north and south.

 

Anticipated student difficulties: The students might get restless during the teacher’s time of instruction. They might not want to contribute their own ideas.

                                   

Anticipated achievement goals: The students will realize the role of music in culture and history especially during times of war.

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15 min.Section #2 – Timeline with Songs

(Pass out timelines and song lyrics to students.)

 

Using the songs “Bonnie Blue Flag”, “Johnny Comes Marching Home”, “Just Before the Battle, Mother”, and “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” do the following-

1.    Introduce song and have the students add the title to their timeline

2.    Play song and have students follow along with the lyrics

3.    Dissect some of the lyrics with discussion questions

 

Anticipated student difficulties: The students may not want to follow along with the lyrics, fill in their time lines, or participate in the discussion.

 

Anticipated achievement goals: The students will have aural, kinesthetic, and visual support in retaining information and grasp the feelings of the history and culture of the times through the lyrics.

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12 min.Section #3 – Battle Cries of the North and South

(Divide the class according to bracelet color.)

 

Your bracelets represent the side of the war you were on. Each side will learn a battle cry and perform it for the other side. Listen to the “Battle Cry of Freedom” and each side’s recording. Now let’s take some time for you to learn your own side’s battle cry. (Give students time to practice their battle cry. Lead the students in performing their battle cries for the opposing side. Discuss the battle cries as a class. Notice the similarities and differences. Point out that just like they have friends on the other side, in the war friends fought against friends and family members against family members.) Why are there differences and similarities between the cries? How does it feel to be on the other side of your friends or people you know?

 

Anticipated student difficulties: The students might not want to participate in chanting their side’s battle cry.

 

Anticipated achievement goals: The students will see the division war causes and experience the pride of having a battle cry. They will also learn more about the history of the Civil War times with the lyrics of the cries.

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8 min.Ending Statements

“Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” was used during the Vietnam War. Songs can transfer from war to war. (Play possible recordings from the 1960s.) Music progresses and changes through time with new developments, technologies, and popular styles. Could the songs we learned from the Civil War be applied to the war today? Are there any other questions? Please take out a blank sheet of paper and write two reasons music was important in wars or more specifically the Civil War as an exit card for class today.

 

Anticipated student difficulties: The students might be getting restless toward the end of the lesson and not want to fill out the exit card.

 

Anticipated achievement goals: The students will make a connection from the past to present. The students will show some of what they have learned.

 

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Plans for future student learning:

The students could learn about the music of other wars. The students could go more in depth with composers during the time period of the Civil War.

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Bonnie Blue Eyes

Goodbye my little bonnie blue eyes Goodbye my little bonnie blue eyes You've told me more lies than the stars in the skies Goodbye my little bonnie blue eyes I saw my little bonnie last night  She looked so dear to me She's the only girl I ever loved She's now gone back on me Oh stand at the gate and weep Oh stand at the gate and weep Oh stand at the gate and weep and morn Oh bonnie wont you love me once more Come and lay your hand in mine Come and lay your hand in mine Come and lay your arms around my neck And say that you will be mine Oh you know what you promised me Oh you know what you promised me You promised that you'd marry me  Oh you know what you promised me I've stayed in the country too long I've stayed in the country too long The only wrong that I have done I've stayed in the country too long Come and go with me too the train Come and go with me too the train Come and go with me and see me get on Goodbye my little bonnie I'm gone

 

When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again

When Johnny comes marching home again,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home

 

Just Before the Battle, Mother Lyrics:
Just before the battle, Mother,
I am thinking most of you
While upon the fields we're watching,
With the enemy in view

Comrades, brave, are round me lying
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow
Some will sleep beneath the sod

Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain

Hark, I hear the bugels sounding
'Tis the signal for the fight
Now may God protect us, Mother
As he ever does the right

Hear the battle cry of freedom
How it swells up in the air
Yes, we'll rally round the standard
Or we'll perish nobly there

Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain

 

Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp-Ground
We`re tenting tonight on the old camp-ground
Give us a song to cheer
Our weary hearts, a song of home
And friends we love so dear.

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight
Wishing for the war to cease,
Many are the hearts looking for the right
To see the dawn of peace.
Tenting tonight, tenting tonight
Tenting on the old camp-ground.

We`ve been tenting tonight on the old camp-ground,
Thinking of days gone by
Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand,
And the tear that said, `Good-by !`

We are tired of war on the old camp-ground;
Many are the dead and gone
Of the brave and true who`ve left their homes;
Others been wounded long.

We`ve been fighting today on the old camp-ground, .
Many are lying near ;
Some are dead, and some are dying,
Many are in tears.
Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,
Wishing for the war to cease;
Many are the hearts looking for the light,
To see the dawn of peace.
Dying tonight, dying tonight,
Dying on the old camp-ground.