From songs about soldiers and songs about loved ones to Civil War songs, bluegrass artists offer Memorial Day music that's both somber and hopeful.
Memorial Day is observed in honor of those who have died in combat. A variety of bluegrass songs approach this subject at different times in history and from the vantage point of a colorful variety of observers.
Civil War Songs
"He's Coming to Us Dead" by Dry Branch Fire Squad: Ron Thomason's mournful vocal maximizes the impact of this song about a grief-stricken father meeting his son, Union soldier, for the last time.
"Chancellorsville" by David Davis and the Warrior River Boys: During a bloody battle, an isolated and unintended event turns the tide of the Civil War, but the story is only told decades later, late at night at a home for old veterans.
"The Vacant Chair" by The New Lost City Ramblers: The Ramblers authentically recreate old-time performance style with this song from the Civil War period. Through shared experiences, evening prayers, and an empty seat at the table, loved ones fondly remember a man whose heroic death is only slight consolation as "our hopes in ruin lie".
"Two Soldiers" (a.k.a. "Boston Boy") by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard: Gritty, authentic mountain singing intensifies this tale of two soldiers who make a bargain just before going into battle.
"The Silver Bugle" by The Charlie Sizemore Band: The sound of Wayne Fields' banjo seems to rise from the mists of time to kick off this eerie story song. Tall tales and ghosts from the past mingle to recall a furious Civil War battle -- not for ideology, but for a legendary object that might help win the war.
"Dry Run Creek" by The Seldom Scene: Battle takes a fearsome toll on both the Blue and the Gray, all of whom fight, ignorant of a valuable piece of information. John Duffey's keening tenor blends beautifully with Dudley Connell's bluesy lead vocal to evoke the grief of those left behind.
Songs about soldiers
"Luckiest Man Alive" by The Nashville Bluegrass Band: Two generations of veterans return home to lead settled lives, never forgetting the tragedies of their respective wars,
"Me and John and Paul" by The Grascals: Two men have more than a few reasons to be grateful for the heroic inclination of a childhood friend.
"Purple Heart" by Jim and Jesse: In an early recording and a rare trio vocal, the McReynolds brothers sing a song about a father grieving for his son, dead in the Korean War. Despite his grief and denial, the father finds comfort in his son's release from life's sad and tragic moments.
"Forgotten Soldier Boy" by The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover: A spare and beautiful brother duet about a valiant World War I veteran who comes home to find the tragedy and deprivation of the battlefield at home, when the government that sent him into battle is unable to keep its promises of help to returning veterans.
Songs About Loved Ones and Non-Combat Personnel
"Blood-Stained Bible" by Cedar Hill: A country gospel tale of an Alabama preacher-turned-Army chaplain, who ministers to scared and dying soldiers in the thick of the World War II battle at Normandy. The drama is heightened by the fine lead singing of Lisa Ray.
"Two Soldiers" by Blue Highway: Different from the Hazel Dickens/Alice Gerrard song of the same name, this is heart-rending account of the soldiers who arrive on doorsteps all across America to tell families that their loved ones have been killed in action.
"More Than a Name on a Wall" by Dailey and Vincent: A poignant duet version of the Statler Brothers tune, about a mother grieving in the wake of her son's death in Vietnam. She sends up a prayer to God to tell her son that he will be remembered for who he was and how much he is loved, as "more than a name on a wall."
"Down Where the River Bends" by Old and in the Way: This bluegrass supergroup featured Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Peter Rowan, and this song was an unlikely one for the full-fledged hippes to tackle. In it, a father bids a moving but clear-eyed good-bye to a son who is going off to war.
Bluegrass Songs Honor the Living and the Dead
The bluegrass songs on this playlist are the perfect vehicles for remembrance of the war dead as well as timely reminders of those who serve as non-combatants and the friends and loved ones who are too often left behind.
Author George P.
Memorial Day is observed in honor of those who have died in combat. A variety of bluegrass songs approach this subject at different times in history and from the vantage point of a colorful variety of observers.
Civil War Songs
"He's Coming to Us Dead" by Dry Branch Fire Squad: Ron Thomason's mournful vocal maximizes the impact of this song about a grief-stricken father meeting his son, Union soldier, for the last time.
"Chancellorsville" by David Davis and the Warrior River Boys: During a bloody battle, an isolated and unintended event turns the tide of the Civil War, but the story is only told decades later, late at night at a home for old veterans.
"The Vacant Chair" by The New Lost City Ramblers: The Ramblers authentically recreate old-time performance style with this song from the Civil War period. Through shared experiences, evening prayers, and an empty seat at the table, loved ones fondly remember a man whose heroic death is only slight consolation as "our hopes in ruin lie".
"Two Soldiers" (a.k.a. "Boston Boy") by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard: Gritty, authentic mountain singing intensifies this tale of two soldiers who make a bargain just before going into battle.
"The Silver Bugle" by The Charlie Sizemore Band: The sound of Wayne Fields' banjo seems to rise from the mists of time to kick off this eerie story song. Tall tales and ghosts from the past mingle to recall a furious Civil War battle -- not for ideology, but for a legendary object that might help win the war.
"Dry Run Creek" by The Seldom Scene: Battle takes a fearsome toll on both the Blue and the Gray, all of whom fight, ignorant of a valuable piece of information. John Duffey's keening tenor blends beautifully with Dudley Connell's bluesy lead vocal to evoke the grief of those left behind.
Songs about soldiers
"Luckiest Man Alive" by The Nashville Bluegrass Band: Two generations of veterans return home to lead settled lives, never forgetting the tragedies of their respective wars,
"Me and John and Paul" by The Grascals: Two men have more than a few reasons to be grateful for the heroic inclination of a childhood friend.
"Purple Heart" by Jim and Jesse: In an early recording and a rare trio vocal, the McReynolds brothers sing a song about a father grieving for his son, dead in the Korean War. Despite his grief and denial, the father finds comfort in his son's release from life's sad and tragic moments.
"Forgotten Soldier Boy" by The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover: A spare and beautiful brother duet about a valiant World War I veteran who comes home to find the tragedy and deprivation of the battlefield at home, when the government that sent him into battle is unable to keep its promises of help to returning veterans.
Songs About Loved Ones and Non-Combat Personnel
"Blood-Stained Bible" by Cedar Hill: A country gospel tale of an Alabama preacher-turned-Army chaplain, who ministers to scared and dying soldiers in the thick of the World War II battle at Normandy. The drama is heightened by the fine lead singing of Lisa Ray.
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"Two Soldiers" by Blue Highway: Different from the Hazel Dickens/Alice Gerrard song of the same name, this is heart-rending account of the soldiers who arrive on doorsteps all across America to tell families that their loved ones have been killed in action.
"More Than a Name on a Wall" by Dailey and Vincent: A poignant duet version of the Statler Brothers tune, about a mother grieving in the wake of her son's death in Vietnam. She sends up a prayer to God to tell her son that he will be remembered for who he was and how much he is loved, as "more than a name on a wall."
"Down Where the River Bends" by Old and in the Way: This bluegrass supergroup featured Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Peter Rowan, and this song was an unlikely one for the full-fledged hippes to tackle. In it, a father bids a moving but clear-eyed good-bye to a son who is going off to war.
Bluegrass Songs Honor the Living and the Dead
The bluegrass songs on this playlist are the perfect vehicles for remembrance of the war dead as well as timely reminders of those who serve as non-combatants and the friends and loved ones who are too often left behind.
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Author George P.
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