Maggie Ray

Mrs. Neal

Honors U.S. History

4 June 2020

America Through the Ages

This album is all about the History and important events that have happened throughout

America’s History from the very beginning of America till present times. Much happened

during this timeframe, some good and others bad. However, every part of this history is

important, and most be thought of to create a good future for the country.
1. Bill of Rights by Smart Song

This song talks about and describes much of the Bill of Rights. I think this is

important because the Bill of Rights is part of the very beginning of the creation

of government in America. The Bill of Rights also helps distinguish America

from other governments in the World. This song is a good description of the song

because it includes the repetition of “Yup, the first 10 amendments are the Bill of

Rights”. It also explains well but simply all of the amendments in the Bill of

Rights.

2. The British Genadiers by Diane Taraz

I think that this song is a good representation of the revolution. This is because it

is literally from the Revolution and it talks about the British coming to America to

fight. It is from an album by Diane Taraz named Song of the Revolution.

3. Guns and Ships from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda

This song is about how the French helped America during the Revolutionary war.

It talks about how the French sent over ships, guns, soldiers, and many other

supplies to help America. The song describes how a soldier, Lafayette, goes back

to France to ask for and successfully gain support for the American revolution.

This is important because without help from the French, America may not have

been able to win the Revolution.

4. Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel

Miranda *includes swearing

This song is about and describes the battle of Yorktown during the Revolutionary

war. This song describes how America had spies on the inside and how America

used unconventional tactics to fight and win the battle. It includes that the battle

took a week and America won. Also included, is the drinking song, “The World

Turned Upside Down” that the British sang as retreating. The Battle of Yorktown

is important because it was a major battle during the Revolutionary War, and it

was a turning point for America.

5. The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton

This song is about the Battle of New Orleans, or the Battle of 1814 that took place

during the war of 1812. This Battle was the greatest victory for America during

its time and helped to prove that America was a greater superpower then Britain.

This battle is also known for actually happening after the War of 1812 was

already ended and the Treaty of Ghent was already signed. The song includes

lines like, “We fired our guns and the British kep a-comin'”. This talks about how

the British were determined to win. However, the line, “We fired once more and

they begin to runnin'” proves that America won the battle and its greatest victory

to come.
6. Julie by Rhiannon Giddens

This song is a very good representation of slavery and what slavery was like

during the civil war period. Slavery was a huge part of American history and a

long conversation for the founding fathers if it was right or not. Eventually the

battle over Slavery became one of the main reasons for the Civil war. The song

“Julie” is by Rhiannon Giddens and part of an album that she wrote to describe

many of the battles that black people have and do face. This song is basically a

conversation between a female slave and her owner during the civil war and it

includes important ideas about slavery and other problems during the civil war in

the south.

7. When Johnny Comes Marching Home by Patrick Gilmore

This song is about the aftermath of the Civil War and what many people who

fought in it faced when they went home. The Civil war was a very important part

of American history and it proved that the federal government had more power

then the states and it proved that slavery was unjust. The war changed the

soldiers, homes, and businesses greatly. This song is about how soldiers were

greeted and treated when they came home, “The men will cheer, the boys will

shout, The ladies they will all turn out, And we'll all feel gay”. Many soldiers

were greeted happily when they returned home, especially knowing that America

would be changed forever.

8. Buffalo Soldier by Bob Marley

A buffalo soldier was a nickname for an African American person that fought in

the U.S. Army. This was mostly during 1867-1896 when they were to fight

against Indians, or Native Americans, because the Government was forcing the

off of their land. “Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, Win the war for America” this

is a line in the song that shows that America was just using these soldiers to fight

against the Indians. This is a very influential song because it shows how African

Americans were discriminated against in the Army and how those cavalry

regiments were used. This part of American History is important because the

mistreatment of the Native Americans is a big part of history and it caused much

of the Western growth of America.

9. Oh! It’s A Lovely War by Courtland and Jeffries

This song was sung back in 1917 about the first World War, or the Great War. It

was written from the point of view of a soldier and put a good spin on what it was

like to be a soldier even though it really was not, and the conditions were

extremely poor. This is evident in lines like, “Who wouldn't be a soldier eh?” and

“Don't we pity the poor civilians sitting around the fire”. The first World War is

very important for American History because it shows he much of a superpower

America was and that America was willing to be part of affairs outside of

America.
10. A Tale of the Ticker by Frank Crumit

This song is about the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and it was released in 1929.

The Stock Market Crash had a major effect on America, and it was one of the

leading causes of the Great Depression that followed. This was a huge part of

American History and had a lasting affect that can still be felt through today,

especially when thinking about the economy. Frank Crumit describes what it was

like to talk about the economy and stocks back then. He talks about how people

would always say that the Stock Market was not doing very good that day.

11. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime by Bing Crosby

This song was recorded during and about the Great Depression. The Great

depression was caused by the Stock Market Crash and it was felt throughout all of

America and some of the effects are still felt today like inflation. This song is

about the experience of most common people during the Great Depression.

Crosby talks about how he helped to build the railroad and many buildings but

since those have been finished he is unable to find work or any money so he has

to ask his brother to spare a dime to help him.

12. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters

This song is about the second world war, and more specifically the people who

were forced to become soldiers. The second world war is important because it is

the second war that most of the entire world was involved in. Also, in America

this war was the beginning of the draft that is still here today but no longer used.
 The Andrews Sisters talk about a man that was a professional trumpet player who

played jazz music for a living but had to become a soldier during the draft. They

talk about how he was able to put his fellow troops to sleep and wake them up

everyday with a boogie that he plays.

13. Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud by James Brown

This song is from and about the civil Rights movement and how Black people

demanded equal rights. The Civil Rights movement was led mostly by Martin

Luther King Jr. and still has a longing impact on America. Black people were

given equal rights and freedoms by the end of the Civil Rights movement by

Kennedy. This is so important because it has a lasting influence till now when

there is still not equal treatment and there are still problems with the Civil Rights.

This song is mostly a chant by the singer to get people to say that they are Black

and Proud so that other people would respect and treat them equally.

14. Gimme Shelter by Rolling Stones

This song is about the Vietnam war and how many people in the war wanted

Shelter during it and from it. The Vietnam war was a very controversial war that

many people and groups protested, it was a big reason for the beginning of

hippies and such. This song was originally by the Rolling Stones, but it was

redone and rerecorded by many other bands and people. It was also in almost

every movie during that time and otherwise that was about the Vietnam war.

Repeated during the song is, “War, children, it's just a shot away”. This is a
 phrase that explains how unexpected war can be, especially since America was

not supposed to be a part of the war because it was not about America at all until

America decided to intervene.

15. Undivided by Bon Jovi

This song is about the attacks on America that happened on September 11, 2001.

On this day, America was attacked by terrorists, but America did not crumble, it

became stronger. This day was significant to America because it was the first real

terrorist attack on America and it still effects many people to this day. This song

by Bon Jovi proves this by talking about how America was undivided after the

attacks. Bon Jovi talks about how America became one country united for Love,

Truth, and everyone in the country.

16. We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel

This song talks about many things to do with History that are mentioned in the

beginning of the song. Billy Joel mentions many times and people that were

incredibly influential during the past that caused where we are now.

17. Born Too Late by The Clarks

I like this song and it represents all of history by talking about how the singer was

born too late to experience many things that happened throughout the past. The

Singer mentions many influential people