War of 1812 Randomness

[lady_branwyn]

While researching saddle types, I found the website of the Society of the Military Horse. The studies include an essay on Mounted Swordsmanship by a certain Lt. G. S. Patton. :D [And it is clear that Patton was nuts, even at that young age.]

Driving home tonight, I asked Lord B. why Andrew Jackson is depicted on the 20 dollar bill.
Lord B.: Because he was censured by Congress.
Me: Then why isn't Bill Clinton on the money?
Lord B.: He wasn't censured by Congress.
Me: Oh. Maybe Jackson's on the money because he made a great land purchase for the US.
Lord B.: He stole land from the Indians. He also fought a battle after peace had been declared.
Me: He couldn't have known that.
Lord B.: The British didn't know either.
Then, by an amazing process of free association, I remembered the Battle of New Orleans song. People of a certain age remember Jimmie (?) Horton singing it, but I found this version by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Here are the lyrics so you can sing along while making moonshine, skinning beavers, and whatnot. Some sites have toned down the lyrics to make them more suitable for children, lol! They just don't make kids as tough as they used to.

[Edit-I found what seems to be the original version, by Jimmy Driftwood, of the Battle of New Orleans song. Actually a better ballad than the one that was so popular.]

Comments

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Hee! I remember that song very well. They just don't write 'em like they used to.

*is unable to find even vaguely appropriate icon, so just closes eyes and clicks*

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

I nearly fell over laughing at the idea that the lyrics need to be censored to protect impressionable children. That was one of my favorite songs when I was little.
I think you need something like a "Mail Pouch Tobacco" icon for this song.
BTW, they had whoopie pies in the cafeteria at work today! I was so surprised. I wonder if they have a Southerner planning the menus. The breakfast bar includes grits.

[radbooks.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remember Johnny Horton and his songs! He sang that North to Alaska one too... we used to live up there so I guess that's why I remember that particular song. Very strange songs...

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard the North to Alaska one. There seems to have been an entire genre of those long, historical narrative songs in the 60s (remember the "Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde"?).

[idler-1814.livejournal.com]

Along these same lines, are you familiar with the song 'St. Claire's Defeat'? Apollo's Fire does a really marvelous version of this traditional song which describes the Battle of the Wabash (1791--I think--at Ft. Jefferson, OH). There's a soundclip on this page

From this page, too, it seems that they're performing in Hunting Valley and in Peninsula this June!!!