Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore wrote a song

during the Civil War, in March on his way through the years. This song, a longing for loved ones return safely from the war, is: “When Johnny comes Marching Home”. Today this song, and is part of the piano literature of many players in the American classic.

Gilmore was a Union Army bandmaster and an excellent soloist on the cornet. He came to the United States in 1849 from Ireland, arriving in Boston. be registered in the 1861 special “Patrick Gilmore Band” in the Union Army. They were part of the 24th Massachusetts Infantry.

Since the atrocities of the war it would be this band of musicians had dual roles. They played as a stretcher-bearer during the civil war in places like Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg and others.

Not too many years later, the promotion of peace Gilmore, after so much war – peace with its anniversaries. One, called the National Peace Jubilee (1869), consisted of over 1,000 instrumentalists and 10,000 singers.

Another, called the World Peace Jubilee (1872) consisted of 2,000 instrumentalists and 20,000 singers. These performances were impressive, along with modern music and entertainment extravaganzas.

In fact, in none other than the 1872 World Johann Strauss Orchestra as a performer. Of course, this was a cost of 0.000 and it was that Strauss’s visit in the United States.

Always with the hope for peace and for soldiers returning from war to a life they have learned, inspired, Gilmore wrote When Johnny Comes Marching Home 1863 in New Orleans. At that time he was Grand Master of the Union Army. He had the task of reorganizing the State of Louisiana military bands. During his tenure, the song that he made Gilmore creative mind on music paper. It began a fantastic journey for this piece of music, one continues, to this day.

Some believe the song is similar to the Irish tune “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”. This song tells the story of a soldier returning from war suffer crippling injuries. Gilmore said the song adapted from an African-American spiritual song. He wrote the song for his sister, Annie Gilmore, as a cry to her true love, John O’Rourke. A soldier of the Union Army, was O’Rourke’s future brother in law of Patrick Gilmore.

After finishing the song grew in popularity. It has indeed reason for hope in war-weary listeners, popular in the north and south. It was released a piece of sheet music in 1863 when Henry Tolman and Company of Boston printed. Especially for the Union Army and Navy, it was really a tribute to brave soldiers. It is interesting that Gilmore has published under another name, Louis Lambert, even if a reference added to his group. Some other works Gilmore, Good News from 22 at home and March regiment, were among others. You can hear when Johnny Comes Marching Home in films such as “Stalag 17″ and “How the West was won. The song plays as background music in” Gone with the Wind “scene.

In his life, Patrick Gilmore created Gilmore’s Garden concert, which was the first Madison Square Garden. He was also music director in 1876 to Philadelphia for the centennial of the United States.
He received the honor of “Father of the American band named after John Philip Sousa. Sousa had the honor of the name” The King in March. Gilmore was a solid foundation for composers like Sousa.

Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, born on Christmas Day 1829 in Ballygar, Ireland, died in St. Louis in 1892. His legacy as a master bandleader, musician, composer and marched on.


Boston Home Staging