Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1865

Comments

When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea

"Our camp fires shone bright on the mountain
That frowned on the river below,
While we stood by our guns in the morning,
And eagerly watched for the foe!
When a horseman rode out from the darkness
That hung over mountain and tree,
And shouted, 'Boys, up and be ready,
For Sherman will march to the Sea'."

Written by Adjutant Byers, of the fifth Iowa,
while confined in the rebel prison camp at Columbia, S.C.
Sung with immense applause at the Wilmington Theatre

Cleveland. Published by S. Brainard & Co., 203 Superior Street

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Lyrics

1st verse:
Our camp fires shone bright on the mountain
That frown'd on the river below,
While we stood by our guns in the morning,
And eagerly watch'd for the foe;
When a horseman rode out from the darkness
That hung over mountain and tree,
And shouted, "Boys, up and be ready,
For Sherman will march to the sea. "

2nd verse:
When cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen,
And the bugles reechoed the music
That came from the lips of the men
For we knew that the stars on our banners,
More bright in their splendor would be,
And the blessings from Northland would greet us
When Sherman march'd down to the sea.

3rd verse:
Then forward, boys; forward to battle,
We march'd on our wearysome way,
And we storm'd the wild hills of Resaca,
God bless those who fell on that day!
Then Kenesaw, dark in its glory,
Frown'd down on the flag of the free,
But the East and the West bore her standard
When Sherman march'd down to the sea.

4th verse:
Still onward we pressed till our banners
Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls,
And the blood of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor's flag falls;
But we paused not to weep for the fallen
Who slept by each river and tree,
Yet we twined the a wreath of the laurel,
And Sherman marched down to the sea.

5th verse:
Proud, proud was our army that morning
That stood by the cypress and pine,
The Sherman said, "Boys, you are weary,
This day fair Savannah is mine!"
Then sang we a song for our chieftain,
That echoed o'er river and sea,
And the stars on our banners shone brighter
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

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