It could be a hymn, it could be a fife and drum, a marching band or an acoustic guitar; but the music of war settles deeper into the collective and emotional memory of a nation than almost any other lyric or tune. From "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," to "Over There," and from "Yellow Ribbons" to whatever else is "Blowin' In The Wind," the songs that praise and protest war are like a soundtrack of this nation's struggle for identity.
These songs track motivations and reservations about war, as they chart the shift from the hymnal to the lament, from the inspirational to the confrontational. They bring us into history's trenches, and reflect the ambivalence of supporting the soldiers, without endorsing the dirty work of war. You're in the Army Now, "Knee Deep in the Big Muddy."
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Jerry Silverman has been a musicologist for more than 40 years. He's written more than 200 books on American folk music, including "Of Thee I Sing: Lyrics and Music for America's Most Patriotic Songs."
