Updated 4 March, 2006.
Song of the month update: now up to mid 2004.
This site is the result of about 5 years of intensive research (in my spare time and vacation, this is not my profession) covering hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles, with a lower level since then, into locating and documenting primary source songs concurrent with the American Civil War or earlier. Originally the purpose was to find authentic versions of songs mentioned in the regimental history of the 140th NYV. That has expanded greatly, and all titles and lyrics are from concurrent sources, all published before 1865. Some of the midi files presented are from post war sources, as many songsters from the time of the war and before contained no music. The notes with each song will tell how authentic the music is. Music from published sheets is often edited to capture the main body of the song only, but nothing is added; no auto-orchestration, and no drum machine. Most recently I am including the openings and bridges as they show so much of the character of the time.
The Song of the Month feature: the month part is not to be taken literally; I am far busier than I used to be, so I am happy to be within a few years of on-time. If this is not sufficient you can get your money back at the door.
As for the dates and publishers for these songs: These are not implied to be the first publication of the song, these are only intended to document the source I used for this version. My only intention for dating the songs is to verify that it was in publication at the time of the Civil War. Many were originally published earlier, some far earlier.
Please note that some of the Song of the Month midi files are not also in the midi library, so check both sections if you are looking for something.
While I still do some reasearch at a lower clip, I have also recorded a good number of songs, done perhaps more authentically then most. For starters I play a 19th century parlor guitar, and I also play a reproduction 1859 minstrel banjo in various authentic styles. See my link below if you would like to hear some of this. I am also available on several on-line digital music sources (i-tunes, Rhapsody, &c.) I am not what you would call a "musician" or a "singer" but at the very least I've done my homework, and folks seem to enjoy what I've done. I also do music and history events throughout the northeast.
About Permissions:
Midi files may be used with a link to my site and accreditation, no need to ask, here's your permission. Song of the Month articles you should ask for (partly because I may be able to provide corrections) and I am also growing tired of finding these on other sites (including government sites) with other people's names on them.
Miscellaneous:
Pictures from the Windham Heritage Music 2005 event: Click here.
Pictures from the Windham event in 2002!. Click here.
Features: Song of the Month Song of the Month Archive 1998 to 2001 Mid File Library Research Sites for Period Music Links for other fun things Biography of Louis Ernst (My 3-great uncle and Lt. Col. of the 140th NYV) My rambling thoughts on Authenticity from a couple years ago. My CD Page
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