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258 The National Music of A merica.
rhythmic swing of the tune that caused the song to spread so widely and so rapidly; it is one of the best marching-melodies in existence. It has taken root in England, and it is said that even in the far-away Soudan, General Kitchener's men sometimes made the route less wearisome by singing "John Brown's Body."
There were other songs which served to lighten the soldier's burden on the march, and sustain his bravery in battle, which were written in the North (we have already spoken of the chief music of the South) during the terrible years of strife. George F. Root contributed the "Battle-cry of Freedom," "Just before the battle, mother," and other strong lyrics ("Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching," had great success in its time); Henry Clay Work wrote the spirited " Marching through Georgia," and there were many other songs that might be cited, which fitted their purpose, yet fell short of being national |
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