We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

about

One day, shortly after a disastrous loss for the Union army, President Lincoln and General Carl Schurz sat in the White House gravely discussing the recent events. When night fell, the General went to the piano in an adjoining room and softly played some of the popular songs of the day. The President listened silently in the semi-darkness. When Schurz finished, Lincoln thanked him warmly and expressed how deeply he had always been affected by music of a sentimental nature.

Among the songs played by General Schurz that evening was Tenting on the Old Camp Ground . The song reflects the public's changing taste in Civil War music, which, as the fighting dragged on, was drifting away from such songs as The Battle Cry of Freedom . Tenting on the Old Camp Ground was written in 1863 by a young New Hampshire musician named Walter Kittredge.

The inspiration for this moving plea for peace came while Kittredge was preparing to answer the draft call he had received to fight in the Union army. The Civil War was the first American war to have a general military draft, and men were drafted to fight on both sides of the conflict. It turned out that Kittredge was unable to serve in the army due to a childhood bout with rheumatic fever, but the song was an instant success, demonstrating tremendous and lasting appeal with civilians and soldiers alike.

lyrics

chorus:

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

verses:

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

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 "Goodbye"

We are tired of war on the old camp ground
Many are 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

credits

from Ballad of America Volume 3: Songs in the Life of Abraham Lincoln, released February 12, 2009

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band image

Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band Florida

With vocals, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass fiddle, Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band bring to life music that is woven into the fabric of the United States: traditional folk songs, fiddle tunes, old-time country, bluegrass, Appalachian music, ragtime, blues, spirituals, railroad and cowboy songs, work songs, sea shanties, reels, breakdowns, ballads, and more. ... more

contact / help

Contact Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now