Lyrical Legacy:400 Years of American

Song and Poetry

Created By:Jessica Cupples

ETE 100-01February 9th, 2010

Settlement, Beginnings to 1763

Ballads- Long songs that tell a story› First came to North America in the earliest European colonies, and they played a

crucial role in the daily life of the common folk› Delivered news, provided entertainment, moral/religious lessons› Picture of Ballad created by Bonny Barbara Allan on next slide

Broadsides- Single sheets of paper printed every which contained poems, songs, short stories, news› Free-for-all public opinion which could be published anonymously› Promotes many different points of views which caused discussion amongst

readers › Example of Broadside on next slide

Bonny Barbara Allan Ballad-Song Sheet (Date Unknown)

Richard Wilfon Poem-"The Wages of Sin“ broadside, 1732.

The American Revolution, 1763-1783

Songs played a vital role in entertainment during the Revolution.› Used during work, play, worship, etc

Songs also used for satire and mockery› Folks would use songs to make fun of important people

as well as playfully insults friends and enemies Yankee Doodle- mocked the British but glorified

the Continental Army as well as George Washington

Click here to listen to Yankee Doodle

The New Nation, 1783-1815

War of 1812 played a key role in bringing together regions all over the country› Brought together many different styles of poetry, song, &

stories Stories and songs were told by soldiers themselves and stories and songs about the battle shaped the way people at

the time thought about themselves “Hunters of Kentucky” was introduced in 1815 directly after

the Battle of New Orleans› Dramatic and unexpected victory praised through the words of the song!› “But Jackson, he was wide awake,

And was not scared of trifles;For well he knew what aim we takeWith our Kentucky rifles;He led us down to Cypress Swamp,The ground was low and mucky;There stood John Bull in pomp,And here was old Kentucky”

National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860

During the 19th century, poetry became widely viewed in the newspapers in which politics, science, religion, etc could be found

William Lloyd Garrison became widely known for his expression of hatred towards slavery which was widely seen in his poems.

“Sonnet to Liberty” by William Lloyd Garrison “And some to power supreme, and glorious fame: With my whole soul, I spurn the doctrine base, And, as an equal brotherhood, embrace All people, and for all fair freedom claim!”

Civil War and Reconstruction

Poems began to transition from political, religious opinion to that of mourning and loss.

One of the most popular poems written in 19th century was ”O Captain! My Captain!” written by Walt Whitman› After the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Whitman

was inspired to write a poem about his admiration and respect for the fallen president

When the poem was published, Whitman was angered by the many spelling errors and sent a revised sheet to the company so they could reprint it the correct way

Progressive Era to New Era1900-1929

Sheet music was the engine of the music business at the turn of the 20th century› Music fans bought, borrowed, traded, and collected

sheet music just like today’s listeners do with recordings, and popular songwriters became celebrities, household names, and, in some cases, millionaires.

George M. Cohan’s sheet music made him a legend, especially for his patriotic song, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”› Became an instant hit and sold over millions. Still

popular today!

Great Depression/World War II,1925-1945

During the Great Depression, millions of people suffered the lost of jobs, money, food and struggled to stay alive.› In the midst of these hard times, many people would

write of their challenges, struggles, hopes, and dreams

The Federal Writer’s Project aimed to go into the heart of the struggling citizen and compile works written by nonetheless, the victims of the Great Depression

"Textile Life" was discovered in 1938, written by Mary Branch.› Direct and personal› Provides a vivid, authentic portrait of a community

struggling to survive

Postwar United States, 1945-1968

Archibald MacLeish he had served as an artillery officer in World War I and had witnessed suffering and death on the battlefields of Europe. During the second World War, he took up public service once again, serving as the Librarian of Congress while still writing poetry. When the Library of Congress held a memorial service for all its staff members who had died in the war, MacLeish contributed a powerful poem that not only commemorated the dead, but also made it clear that those who survived bore a special responsibility to make the deaths of these soldiers meaningful.

Used directly from the following site: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/poems/dead_soldiers.html

References!

Bonnie Barbara Allan - Lyrical Legacy (Library of Congress). (n.d.). Library of Congress Home. Retrieved February 9, 2010, from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/songs/bonny_barbara.html

Branch, M. (n.d.). Textile Life - Lyrical Legacy. Library of Congress Home. Retrieved February 14, 2010, from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/poems/textile_life.html

Library of Congress Home. (n.d.). Library of Congress. Retrieved February 9, 2010, from http://www.loc.gov/index.html

MacLeish, A. (n.d.). The Young Dead Soldiers - Lyrical Legacy . Library of Congress Home. Retrieved February 14, 2010, from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/poems/dead_soldiers.html

Yankee Doodle - Lyrical Legacy. (n.d.). Library of Congress Home. Retrieved February 10, 2010, from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/lyrical/songs/yankee_doodle.html