Annotation:Before the Battle Mother
X:1 T:Before the Battle, Mother M:2/4 L:1/8 R:Air B:Stephen Grier music manuscript collection (Book 3, c. 1883, No. 206, p. 63) B:http://grier.itma.ie/book-three#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=62&z=116.5801%2C109.8861%2C3098.831%2C1290.4289 N:Stephen Grier (c. 1824-1894) was a piper and fiddler from N:Newpark, Bohey, Gortletteragh, south Co. Leitrim. Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:G GA BD|GGFE|FGAG|FE D2|GA BD|GGFE|FGAc|BA G2:| |:BBcB|AGFA|ABAG|FE D2|GA BD|GGFE|FGAc|BA G2:|
BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER. AKA - "Just before the Battle, Mother." American, Air (2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. "Just before the Battle, Mother" was written by [Wikipedia:George_Fredrick_Root] (1920-1895), a New England musician, songwriter and composer who moved to Chicago in 1859 to further his career in his brother's music publishing house. His many conflict-related songs were popular during the American Civil War, particularly with troops from the Union Army. This one begins:
Just before the battle, mother,
I am thinking most of you,
While upon the field we're watching
With the enemy in view.
Comrades brave are 'round me lying,
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow,
Some will sleep beneath the sod.
CHORUS:
Farewell, mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again,
But, oh, you'll not forget me, mother,
If I'm numbered with the slain.
