A Fond Farewell to President Abraham Lincoln

By Roger Hall, musicologist and music preservationist

 

 

The Collector's Edition of Smithsonian (March-April 2015) places John Wilkes Booth side by side with Abraham Lincoln as if to imply they are equaling important. Is that really accurate or is it to sell more copies? The latter seems to be true. The assassination plot of Booth seems to have been covered in more detail in books and magazines than the events surrounding President Lincoln's funeral and memorial events. One notable exception is the excellent book compiled from contemporary accounts and tributes, compiled by Lincoln authority, Harold Holzer (shown below).

As a musicologist, I've been disappointed that writers and historians have made little or no mention of songs connected to Lincoln's life,
especially since he was a lover of all kinds of music,
much more than "Dixie."

One example of a song Lincoln liked but also made him filled
with sadness was Stephen Foster's "Gentle Annie,"
which reminded him of his youthful courtship of Ann Rutledge.

Read more about Lincoln's love of music in this publication
with 24 music examples from Abraham Lincoln's lifetime:

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A few quotes about the memorial events in 1865:

Chicago's memorial services were among the most elaborate in the nation. The president lay in state in Chicago's courthouse, where 125,000 viewed the remains at a rate of 7,000 an hour. Dr. Brown and undertaker Frank Sands accompanied the body on the long train journey to Springfield, re- embalming the body several times en route.

 

We sang... Geo. F. Root's new song, "Farewell Patriot [Father], Friend, & Brother [Guardian]"...The thousands and thousands who marched through were disappointed in not seeing the remains. They were not quite ready for view and so the whole mass went off dissatisfied. We staid [stayed] till the embalmers had prepared it, and so had a good view of it before the crowd came in. It looks better than I supposed Mr. Lincoln looked. The light shines on his face through silver stars.
-- From the diary of Francis Owens, a Chicago schoolteacher

Both quotes are from the Chicago Historical Society

 

The song written for Lincoln's funeral
is one of the most poignant reflections on a U.S. President.

It is a deeply felt poetic and patriotic tribute.

 

George Frederick Root, 1820-1895
was one of the most popular songwriters of the 19th century,
especially during Civil War years with songs such as:
"The Battle Cry of Freedom" and "The Vacant Chair."

The funeral song for President Lincoln
was sung in the service in Chicago on May 2,
and at Lincoln's burial service in Springfield, Illinois on May 4, 1865,
without the Chorus published with the sheet music.

Here is the sheet music cover and words to this song:

 

 

This website is operated by the

Center for American Music Preservation

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