Inspired by the American Civil War Song, "Just Before the Battle, Mother," which was written by composer George Root and published in 1864, "Don't Forget Me, Mother" is part of the "Faces of the 47th" video series produced by 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers: One Civil War Regiment's Story, an ongoing initiative that has been documenting the history of, and raising public awareness about, the 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry since 2014.
The only regiment from the Keystone State to fight in the Union's 1864 Red River Campaign across Louisiana, the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was officially established on August 5, 1861. Key engagements, in addition to the Red River Campaign, included the defense of Washington, D.C. in 1861 and again in 1865, following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln; the Battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina (1862); and Union Major-General Philip Sheridan's tide-turning Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1864).
The content of this video includes images of letters that were penned by members of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry between 1861 and 1865, as well as photographs of members of the regiment and photos of several gravestones of members of the 47th Pennsylvania who died while in service to the nation. They are set to the music of "Just Before the Battle, Mother" (lyrics presented below).
Just Before the Battle, Mother
Composer: George F. Root
Publisher: Root & Cady, Chicago, Illinois, 1864 (now in the public domain)
Lyrics:
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.
Oh, I long to see you, mother,
And the loving ones at home,
But I'll never leave our banner,
Till in honor I can come.
Tell the traitors all around you
That their cruel words we know,
In every battle kill our soldiers
By the help they give the foe.
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.
Hark! I hear the bugles sounding,
'Tis the signal for the fight,
Now, may God protect us, mother,
As He ever does the right.
Hear the "Battle-Cry of Freedom,"
How it swells upon the air,
Oh, yes, we'll rally 'round the standard,
Or we'll perish nobly there.
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.
7 май 2024
