Keywords

gender, Civil War, music

Abstract

“Home, Sweet Home” is widely considered the most popular tune of the American Civil War, but its enduring popularity before, during, and after the war has never been fully explored. This thesis combines classic and modern histories of the music of the Civil War with some of the latest work in gender studies and the post-war era to explore the continued popularity of this song throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It begins by examining the life of the song’s unusual author, John Howard Payne, and why Americans were predisposed to find both Payne and his song so compelling. It then continues with its popularity in the Civil War before concluding with its legacy after the war until the turn of the century. In seeking to explain the song's popularity during and after the war, it utilizes accounts of Union soldiers both during and long after the conclusion of hostilities and the words of the next generation as Americans transitioned into a united, imperialist power on the world stage. Primary sources explored include sheet music, letters, newspapers, and other ephemera.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Barbara Gannon

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

History

Degree Program

History

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0028971

Language

English

Release Date

December 2024

Access Status

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

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