Faded Coat Of Blue: A Song History

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“The Faded Coat of Blue” is a Civil War ballad by J. H. McNaughton, who wrote both words and music. It came out as sheet music in 1865 under the full title “The Faded Coat of Blue, or, The Nameless Grave,” and one surviving copy carries the imprint of Penn & Remington of Buffalo, New York;[1] another 1865 printing names a Rochester publisher.[2] John Hugh McNaughton, the son of Scottish parents, came from Caledonia, New York, and is best known for the hymn “Love at Home”;[3] a 1932 state historical marker in Caledonia honors him as a poet and songwriter.[4]

Hand-colored ambrotype portrait of a young Union soldier in a dark blue frock coat and forage cap, in a gilt case

Unidentified soldier in Union frock coat and forage cap, hand-colored ambrotype, 1861–65. Liljenquist Family Collection, Library of Congress. No known restrictions.

The song grieves for a Union soldier in his worn blue uniform who dies far from his family and is buried in an unmarked grave, closing on the hope of reunion in heaven.[1][5] McNaughton set it for voice and piano in verse-and-chorus form.[1]

The ballad later entered early country music. Record databases credit Kentucky singer Buell Kazee with a Brunswick recording, dated to 1928,[6][7] and the Carter Family recorded it in 1934, at a session that discographies place in Camden, New Jersey, on December 11.[6][8][9] Writing about the song for Inside Bluegrass in 1998, Lyle Lofgren pointed would-be singers to the Carter Family version,[9] and online databases also list later recordings, among them one by Dry Branch Fire Squad.[6]

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Sources

  1. Johns Hopkins University, Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection: "The Faded Coat of Blue, or, The Nameless Grave. Ballad.".
  2. IMSLP: "Faded Coat of Blue (McNaughton, John Hugh)".
  3. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: "The History of "Love at Home"".
  4. Historical Marker Database: "John Hugh McNaughton Historical Marker".
  5. Civil War Poetry and Music: "The Faded Coat of Blue".
  6. SecondHandSongs: "The Faded Coat of Blue written by J.H. McNaughton".
  7. Wikipedia: "Buell Kazee".
  8. Discogs: "The Carter Family – Faded Coat Of Blue / I'll Be Home Some Day".
  9. Lyle Lofgren, Remembering the Old Songs: "The Faded Coat of Blue".