This song was actually written in 1857 by H. D. Webster & J. P. Webster and, for obvious reasons, became popular with the men on both sides of the Civil War, after which it became a staple of the Old West. You can hear a traditional interpretation by John Hartford with excellent banjo accompaniment here. … Continue reading LORENA: A Song of the Civil War
Civil War
JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE: An Irish Song
Today's song is an Irish ditty that was borrowed by America during the Civil War. I'm posting both versions here, starting with the American one. The Johnny referred to was Johnny Reb. The original Irish version follows. It's traditionally sung with a pause before the last line of both the verses and refrain. It is, … Continue reading JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE: An Irish Song
Gifford MacShane, Author 