BOOKS
BALLADS OF NORTH AND SOUTH Civil War Heritage Vol. VIII
This is a generous volume of lyrics (including some parodies) as collected and edited by Walbrook D. Swank, Colonel, USAF Ret.

BANDS AND DRUMMER BOYS OF THE CIVIL WAR
This volume by Arthur Wise and Dr. Francis A. Lord (of Collector's Encyclopaedia fame) was published in 1966 by Thomas Yoseloff, Ltd. This over-sized hardback, at 237 pages, is a tremendous compendium of history, photographs, drawings and engravings from the period. Watch the used bookstores for this one.

CIVIL WAR IN SONG AND STORY
This hardback book, at 560 pages, was first published in 1865, then later reprinted in the 1870s and 1880s. The title page reads as follows: The Civil War in Song and Story. 1860-1865. Collected and Arranged by Frank Moore. New York: Peter Fenelon Collier, Publisher. This book is filled with lyrics, poems, anecdotes, and stories collected during the war years. Although it is now a collector's item, and can be pricey in dealer catalogues, I have seen copies on eBay going for $12 - $30 in fair to good condition.

MUSIC IN THE CIVIL WAR Stephen Currie
This slim volume from Betterway Books is deceptive at first glance, as it is obviously geared for middle school or junior high students. However, a closer examination reveals a comprehensive, well-documented and illustrated chronicle of the times covering everything from publishing to instruments.

SINGING THE NEW NATION by E. Lawrence Abel
Subtitled How Music Shaped the Confederacy 1861-1865, this volume includes a comprehensive list of sheet music published in the South during the war and covers all known bands of the Confederate army. The author provides an effective look at the effects of music on a people divided by strife.

MUSIC BOOKS
BALLADS AND SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR ed. Jerry Silverman
This Mel Bay publication features a running commentary by music historian Jerry Silverman and many, many period songs divided into categories such as: The Union, The Confederacy, Lincoln, Battles, The Lighter Side, etc.

CIVIL WAR SONGBOOK ed. Richard Crawford
This contains complete original sheet music for 37 period songs and includes cover engravings.

COMPLETE MUSIC FOR FIFE AND DRUM ed. Walter Sweet
This book is a tremendous resource of tunes and historical backgrounds for anyone interested in the fife and drum corps.

OUR WAR SONGS: NORTH AND SOUTH
I'm still looking for a copy of this myself. Published by S. Brainards' Sons, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1887, this large hardbound song book has over 350 songs primarily from the war. The book includes biographies of better known composers from the war era. I have seen one copy in poor condition at an antiquarian's site for $50.

SINGING SOLDIERS A History of the Civil War in Song
With musical arrangements by Louis Singer and historical commentary by Paul Glass, this collection is as near to complete as you will find anywhere. Although the last reprint from Da Capo Press was disappointingly small, the 300 pages remain jam-packed with songs, lyrics, parodies, historical references, and anecdotes.

SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR ed. Irwin Silber
This is a collection of 125 Civil War Songs with copious historical notes. First published in the 1960s, this remains an invaluable resource. This Dover reprint is fully endorsed by the author.

RECORDINGS
CIVIL WAR Original TV Soundtrack
The stirring soundtrack to the Ken Burns epic, which features the ever popular, non-period tune Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar, is a valuable asset to beginning your collection.

CIVIL WAR II Inspired by the Ken Burns film
This album contains 25 contemporary performances by such artists as Sweet Honey in the Rock, Richie Havens, Kathy Mattea, Judy Collins, and the United States Miliary Academy Cadet Band at West Point. Although not strictly period renditions, these tracks are insightful performances of the songs of a divided nation.

CIVIL WAR COLLECTION Jim Taylor
This is an astonishing instrumental collection of jigs, reels and period songs and dances played by outstanding musicians. This is a worthwhile addition to any collection, as well as a useful reference to period dance music.

CIVIL WAR Its Music and Its Sounds ~ Frederick Fennell
This historic 2 disc recording from the Eastman Wind Ensemble features brass band music of the North and South, artillery, firearms, bugle calls, fife and drum corps, and a classic narration by Martin Gabel. Recorded in time for the centennial in the 1960s, no collection is complete without it.

CIVIL WAR SONGS Keith & Rusty McNeil
Noted music historians Keith & Rusty McNeil combine humour and pathos in this narrated recording featuring period songs. This is a volume in the American History Through Folksong series.

GETTYSBURG Original soundtrack by Randy Edelman
This powerful soundtrack could almost stand on its own as a concert work. Edelman skillfully meshes period material with his own inimitable writings.

GETTYSBURG II More songs and music
This second CD release of Randy Edelman's score features nearly all period music, as well as the reading of the Gettysburg Address taken from the film.

JERRY ERNST Authentic renditions from a New York reenactor
Ernst's carefully researched recordings, late of Mp3.com, are now handled by CD Baby.com. His catalogue of five albums includes Night March to Gettysburg and Angel Band. Please visit his page at CD Baby.com, as well as his website, Jerry's Civil War Music.

MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR Americus Brass Band
The Americus is perhaps the best known of all reenactment bands, having appeared in several major television and film productions. They are known for their authentic stylings of period arrangements on period instruments. Listen closely; you can always hear the characteristic clicking of the keys on their recordings.

MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR Micanopy Brass Band
This professional reenactment band plays 21 period pieces on authentic instruments. The CD also features liner notes by noted Civil War music historian Mark Elrod.

VIDEOS
THE CIVIL WAR a film by Ken Burns
Audiences either loved or hated this epic; there wasn't much middle ground. However, this eleven-hour documentary still stands as a monumental tribute to the men and women of the Civil War Era through their letters, diaries, photographs, and music.