Search - Various Artists :: More Songs and Music from Gettysburg

Beautiful renditions of period music

Megan Lacey | Havana, Illinois United States | 11/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD at the same place I bought the original soundtrack, at the Visitor's center at the Gettysburg Nat'l Battlefield (I know, I probably paid way too much, but oh well...), in part because it was being played in the gift shop. I'd always loved the song Kathleen Mavourneen, which is one of the major musical themes in the movie itself, and I was thrilled that there was the vocal version on this CD... my only complaint was that they only recorded the first verse, the second being just as beautiful and full of poignant imagery ("Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night!")
The other complaint is that they did not include "The Minstrel Boy" which in the film is played as Father Corby gives absolution to the boys of the Irish Brigade. It's a lovely piece, intricate and haunting, as it tells of the warrior bard who dies in battle and destroys his harp rather than let the invader plunder it.
There are some equally beautiful pieces in this compilation, my favorite of the ones not heard in the film is "Just Before the Battle, Mother." Full of pathos and homesickness like many of the songs of that era. I recommend this to anyone who loves American folk music and other works that have been passed down through generations (My grandmother sang Kathleen Mavourneen to me when I was little)."

More songs that I liked more!

R. A. Nester | The Home of Smucker's Jelly | 02/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased the GETTYSBURG soundtrack and bought "More Songs and Music from GETTYSBURG" on a whim. I was glad I did since I think the companion disk is even more moving that the original soundtrack. Much more variety and the Gettysburg Address is a fitting closing for the CD."