Morale Music: The War Years

DC Public Library has been honoring Veterans all month long with a variety of special events. The impact of music on the war weary at home and abroad is of special note. Through the years, American popular music has connected those serving overseas with memories of home and hope. Civilians back home often associated pop songs of a given era with life during wartime and family members fighting far from home.

The music of three distinct eras had an emotional impact during a time of war.

The Civil War
Music tethers the soldier to home, however, during the Civil War, America was both a homefront and a battlefront. To hear a discussion and performances by DC Public Library staff, listen to this very special podcast:

DC Public Library Presents: Morale Music of the Civil War   

To hear and share more songs of the Civil War era, visit Alexander Street's American Song, at dclibrary.org/godigital.

World War II
These songs were popular abroad and at home in the WWII era:

Sentimental Journey

These and more songs of the era can be streamed or downloaded for free on Freegal at dclibrary.org/godigital.

The Vietnam War
These songs were popular abroad and at home during the Vietnam War:

The Vietnam War: Full Metal Jacket & Platoon

These and more songs of the era can be streamed or downloaded for free on Freegal at dclibrary.org/godigital.

While music often evokes nostalgia, for many Americans, the memories that come with wartime music carry special significance.