Lincoln Discussion Symposium

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In speaking of Lincoln it is said that no song "touched his great heart as did ..." What is the name of the song?
That was fast Gene! According to Ward Hill Lamon and Noah Brooks, 'Twenty Years Ago' was a song that touched Lincoln's heart and moved him to tears. He knew the words by heart. After listening to it on the site you found http://balladofamerica.bandcamp.com/trac...-years-ago, I can imagine Lincoln being moved by it.

Cigar box instruments were popular in the civil war. Your prize is an e-trip to the Cigar Box Guitar Museum http://www.bellyjellymusic.com/cigar-box...useum.html and a cigar box. There are many free plans on the web for making your own instrument.

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Have fun, Gene!

In one source I read that Abraham Lincoln once played an instrument. Because I feel the author sometimes accepted doubtful stories as true, I don't know about the veracity of this.

During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln decided to mock the brass band which accompanied Douglas. Lincoln took out harmonica and played upon it. "This is my brass band" he said.

SOURCE: page 151 of Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote
compiled, collated, and edited by Emanuel Hertz (Halcyon House, New York, 1941).
(10-05-2013 05:14 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Have fun, Gene!

In one source I read that Abraham Lincoln once played an instrument. Because I feel the author sometimes accepted doubtful stories as true, I don't know about the veracity of this.

During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln decided to mock the brass band which accompanied Douglas. Lincoln took out harmonica and played upon it. "This is my brass band" he said.

SOURCE: page 151 of Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote
compiled, collated, and edited by Emanuel Hertz (Halcyon House, New York, 1941).

Roger,

There have been a few references to his pkaying the Jew's Harp. If I had the time I would try to tell you which ones made that reference, but I am pressed for time in getting ready for Springfield. Lincoln was also very fond of the song "Blue-tailed Fly."

Joe
(10-04-2013 11:07 PM)Anita Wrote: [ -> ]Your prize is an e-trip to the Cigar Box Guitar Museum http://www.bellyjellymusic.com/cigar-box...useum.html and a cigar box. There are many free plans on the web for making your own instrument.

Just got back from the museum. Quite interesting. Learned how to make a cigar box guitar. Since I don't smoke, I'm going to try and make a Whitman Sampler box guitar. If it doesn't work I can at least eat the candy.
(10-05-2013 01:00 PM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]
(10-04-2013 11:07 PM)Anita Wrote: [ -> ]Your prize is an e-trip to the Cigar Box Guitar Museum http://www.bellyjellymusic.com/cigar-box...useum.html and a cigar box. There are many free plans on the web for making your own instrument.

Just got back from the museum. Quite interesting. Learned how to make a cigar box guitar. Since I don't smoke, I'm going to try and make a Whitman Sampler box guitar. If it doesn't work I can at least eat the candy.

Why didn't I think of that! I didn't know Whitman's has been around since 1842! Whitman's first newspaper advertisement, a novelty during the era, appeared on December 29th, 1860. You can buy a collectors box for your guitar on eBay(sans candy).

This is a good article on Lincoln and music and includes many of the songs he enjoyed.
http://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/...9&CRLI=109

(10-05-2013 11:05 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote: [ -> ]
(10-05-2013 05:14 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Have fun, Gene!

In one source I read that Abraham Lincoln once played an instrument. Because I feel the author sometimes accepted doubtful stories as true, I don't know about the veracity of this.

During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln decided to mock the brass band which accompanied Douglas. Lincoln took out harmonica and played upon it. "This is my brass band" he said.

SOURCE: page 151 of Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote
compiled, collated, and edited by Emanuel Hertz (Halcyon House, New York, 1941).

Roger,

There have been a few references to his pkaying the Jew's Harp. If I had the time I would try to tell you which ones made that reference, but I am pressed for time in getting ready for Springfield. Lincoln was also very fond of the song "Blue-tailed Fly."

Joe

I also have found references to Lincoln playing a Jew's Harp but none have citations to the original source.
(10-05-2013 11:05 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote: [ -> ]
(10-05-2013 05:14 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Have fun, Gene!

In one source I read that Abraham Lincoln once played an instrument. Because I feel the author sometimes accepted doubtful stories as true, I don't know about the veracity of this.

During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln decided to mock the brass band which accompanied Douglas. Lincoln took out harmonica and played upon it. "This is my brass band" he said.

SOURCE: page 151 of Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote
compiled, collated, and edited by Emanuel Hertz (Halcyon House, New York, 1941).

Roger,

There have been a few references to his pkaying the Jew's Harp. If I had the time I would try to tell you which ones made that reference, but I am pressed for time in getting ready for Springfield. Lincoln was also very fond of the song "Blue-tailed Fly."

Joe
Joe, if you ever (after returning from Springfield) have time to look up a source for Lincoln playing the Jew's harp I'd be most grateful! I recently asked if anyone knows of such. I've sometimes read this, but never with a source given.

Anita, what a cool link, thanks!
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