A gentle, melancholy reverie on the long night of war, 1864.
words and music by Walter Kittredge
arranged by M. F. H. Smith
From Popular Songs of Nineteenth Century America: “Kittredge composed the song on his violin during the evening before he was to be drafted into the Union Army in 1863. This sentimental song was championed as an anti-war piece.” It remained popular for many years after the Civil War.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by W. Tomaschewski:
Lyrics
- We’re tenting tonight on the old Camp ground
Give us a song to cheer
Our weary hearts, a song of home
And friends we love so dear
Chorus
Many are the hearts that are weary tonight
Wishing for the war to cease
Many are the hearts looking for the right
To see the dawn of peace
Tenting tonight, tenting tonight
Tenting on the old Camp ground
- We’ve been tenting tonight on the old Camp ground
Thinking of days gone by
Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand
And the tear that said “Good bye!” - We are tired of war on the old Camp ground
Many are dead and gone
Of the brave and true who’ve left their homes
Others been wounded long - We’ve been fighting today on the old Camp ground
Many are lying near
Some are dead and some are dying
Many are in tears
Chorus
Many are the hearts that are weary tonight
Wishing for the war to cease
Many are the hearts looking for the right
To see the dawn of peace
Dying tonight, Dying tonight
Dying on the old Camp ground
Sung here by Fred Feild: