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Was My Brother in the Battle? Civil War Song

by Kimberly Steele

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about

Was My Brother in the Battle? is an American Civil War era song by Stephen Foster Case that was wildly popular in its day. I put my own spin on it by changing a few chords -- the result is a much darker, sadder rendition of a song. I made this version because I thought the original far too upbeat considering the theme of the grieving sibling of a soldier who most likely died bravely in a battle. Oddly enough, I left the lyrics exactly the same as the old ones. I am planning other sad renditions of this song and I encourage others to cover it. The day I released it is actually the 158th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, April 12, 2023. (End of the Civil War was April 12, 1865). I sung the lead vocal in a single, uncorrected take.

lyrics

Tell me, tell me, weary soldier from the rude and stirring wars,
Was my brother in the battle where you gained those noble scars?
He was ever brave and valiant, and I know he never fled.
Was his name among the wounded or numbered with the dead?
Was my brother in the battle when the tide of war was high?
You would know him in a thousand by his dark and flashing eye.

Tell me. tell me, weary soldier, will he ever come gain,
Did he suffer amongst the wounded or die among the slain?

Was my brother in the battle when the noble Highland host
Were so wrongfully outnumbered on the Carolina coast?
Did he struggle for the Union 'mid the thunder and the rain,
Till he fell among the brave on a bleak Virginia plain?
Oh, I'm sure that he was dauntless and his courage ne'er would lag
While contending for the honor of our dear and cherished flag.

Tell me. tell me, weary soldier, will he ever come gain,
Did he suffer amongst the wounded or die among the slain?

Was my brother in the battle when the flag of Erin came
To the rescue of our banner and protection of our fame,
While the fleet from off the waters poured out terror and dismay
Till the bold and erring foe fell like leaves on Autumn day?
When the bugle called to battle and the cannon deeply roared,
Oh! I wish I could have seen him draw his sharp and glittering sword.

Tell me. tell me, weary soldier, will he ever come gain,
Did he suffer amongst the wounded or die among the slain?

Tell me, tell me, weary soldier from the rude and stirring wars,
Was my brother in the battle where you gained those noble scars?
He was ever brave and valiant, and I know he never fled.
He was named among the wounded or numbered with the dead?
Was my brother in the battle when the tide of war was high?
You would know him in a thousand by his dark and flashing eye.

Tell me. tell me, weary soldier, will he ever come gain,
Did he suffer amongst the wounded or die among the slain?

credits

released April 12, 2023
Song by Stephen Foster Case

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Kimberly Steele Chicago, Illinois

Kimberly Steele (Queenie) is a composer, music teacher, and blogger who lives with her husband in the far west suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

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