Music of American Military History

Throughout America’s history, soldiers and musicians have composed songs about famous battles, beloved or despised commanders, and the vagaries of the soldier’s life. Many of our faculty members use recordings of these songs to bring to life the history they teach. A digital presentation, combining audio recordings of the music with the text of the lyrics and explanations of the history they address, is an ideal way to help students of all levels to connect to the history of the Army.

The American Revolution: Commemorating 250 Years

Starting in 2025, the DHC published recordings of Revolutionary-era songs as performed by members of the West Point Band. Along with these recordings, department faculty worked to publish sheet music and lyric analysis. all to be made publicly available upon completion.

Sheet music and full lyric analyses may be found below under “Project Files”

Other Recordings

The West Point Band has recorded other songs that have not yet been given a full historical analysis from the time between the American Revolution and the Civil War, all of which we happily present for your listening pleasure.

Timeline

In Phase 1 (2022) of this project, published recordings of some of these evocative pieces of music by the West Point Band, along with the lyrics, sheet music, and other associated documents to help understand the works. In Phase 2, we will add more explanatory material and collect the pieces into a digital book.

Project Related Files

Select a file to preview it here.

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Music of American Military History

The American Revolution: Commemorating 250 Years

“Pennsylvania March”

“Riflemen at Bennington”

“The Battle of Saratoga – Gates March”

Other Recordings

Timeline

Project Related Files