From Sea to Shining Sea American History Told Through Music

Colonial Era Colonists often sang Religious songs they learned in England. Colonists often sang Religious songs they learned in England. People would sometimes go to singing schools where they would sing with friends. They sang songs like Amazing Grace. People would sometimes go to singing schools where they would sing with friends. They sang songs like Amazing Grace. Wondrous Love

Revolutionary War Music during the Revolutionary war was written for many reasons: to get people excited about the cause, to comfort them, and to make fun of the enemy! Music during the Revolutionary war was written for many reasons: to get people excited about the cause, to comfort them, and to make fun of the enemy! Yankee Doodle, God Save the King, and My Country Tis’ of Thee are all from this time. Yankee Doodle, God Save the King, and My Country Tis’ of Thee are all from this time. My Country Tis’ of Thee

The Star Spangled Banner The song that would become our national anthem was written in 1840 by Francis Scott Keys The song that would become our national anthem was written in 1840 by Francis Scott Keys This is the first printed edition to combine the words and melody to the Star Spangled Banner!

After the Revolutionary War Now you could get printed music to sing and play at home. People would often crowd around the piano or fiddle and sing with friends and family for entertainment. Now you could get printed music to sing and play at home. People would often crowd around the piano or fiddle and sing with friends and family for entertainment. Folk songs were very popular. Spirituals were commonly sung by African American Slaves. Folk songs were very popular. Spirituals were commonly sung by African American Slaves. Stony Point, Played by Henry Reed

Civil War The sound of the fife and drum were a part of military life. This is a fife that was said to be used in the Civil War. The sound of the fife and drum were a part of military life. This is a fife that was said to be used in the Civil War. Bands played for ceremonies and marching. People sang at home for enjoyment, expressing patriotism, and comfort. Bands played for ceremonies and marching. People sang at home for enjoyment, expressing patriotism, and comfort. When Johnny Comes Marching Home

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home" became popular with northerners and southerners alike. Years later, in 1939, one child of the Civil War era remembered: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" became popular with northerners and southerners alike. Years later, in 1939, one child of the Civil War era remembered: The songs we sang were all patriotic. My niece Mary Hill, or Mollie, as we called her, but two years younger than I, was a little songbird. She learned all the popular songs of the day and was ready to sing on any occasion. "Dixie Land" was one of her favorites. She earned the pet name of "Dixie" by this song. Other songs that were sung in school entertainments were "When Johnny comes marching home again," [and] "On the field of battle, mother." Mrs. Hortense Applegate, February 21, 1939 American Life Histories: Mrs. Hortense Applegate, February 21, 1939 American Life Histories: American Life Histories: American Life Histories:

Washington, D.C. Band of 10th Veteran Reserve Corps Washington, D.C. Band of 10th Veteran Reserve Corps

Brandy Station, Va. Band of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Brandy Station, Va. Band of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry

Popular songs included Popular songs included Dixie Dixie The Battle Hymn of the Republic The Battle Hymn of the Republic Johnny Comes Marching Home Johnny Comes Marching Home Tenting On the Old Campground Tenting On the Old Campground

Ragtime Ragtime music became popular in the 1890’s along with other styles influenced by African American rhythm and melody. Ragtime music became popular in the 1890’s along with other styles influenced by African American rhythm and melody. Scott Joplin was the most famous ragtime musician. One of his well known pieces is the entertainer. Scott Joplin was the most famous ragtime musician. One of his well known pieces is the entertainer.

Jazz and the blues grew popular in the 1920’s Jazz and the blues grew popular in the 1920’s During the depression, people looked for music, movies, and entertainment that could make them forget their troubles. During the depression, people looked for music, movies, and entertainment that could make them forget their troubles.

World War II WWII Music helped keep the country optimistic about the war and showed their support for the soldiers. WWII Music helped keep the country optimistic about the war and showed their support for the soldiers.

One very popular song was I’ll Be Home for Christmas, sung by Bing Crosby.

Music Today Today we sing some of the same music Americans have been singing since the beginning. Today we sing some of the same music Americans have been singing since the beginning. All of the Military Branches have bands and choirs. Presidents are announced with Hail to the Chief. Music is an important part of our country. All of the Military Branches have bands and choirs. Presidents are announced with Hail to the Chief. Music is an important part of our country.

Stony Point Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier: The Henry Reed Collection. Library of Congress, American Folklife CenterStony Point Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier: The Henry Reed Collection. Library of Congress, American Folklife Center Sacred Harp singing-Kendall, Raymond. Wondrous Love. Stanford University Choir Sound Disk. Sidney Robertson Cowell California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties. Editor unknown. Date of posting unknown.Sacred Harp singing-Kendall, Raymond. Wondrous Love. Stanford University Choir Sound Disk. Sidney Robertson Cowell California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties. Editor unknown. Date of posting unknown. California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the ThirtiesCalifornia Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties Organ Advertisement-Advertising Ephemera Collection - Database #B0160 Emergence of Advertising On-Line Project John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library My Country Tis’ of Thee-Library of Congress, Music Division Men Dressed in Colonial Costumes-DN , Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. Star Spangled Banner- Fife-Library of Congress, Music Division When Johnnie Comes Marching Home-Library of Congress, Music Division Washington Regiment-Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B DLC ] Band of the 114-LC- Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [B DLC] The Entertaner-mutopiaproject.org Jazz poster-Historic American Sheet Music, “Jazz Baby” Music B-764, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library WWII Photograph-Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [LC-USW DLC ] John W. Bratton and Geoffrey O'Hara. "Let's Get Together." Cleveland: Sam Fox Publishing Company, Sheet music cover. Music Division, Library of Congress "Let's Get Together." Music Division Autographed photograph of Bing Crosby, Courtesy of Bob Hope Archives (74)Autographed photograph of Bing Crosby, Military and Government Photos-