During his sabbatical, School of Music Professor Jim Davis is finishing a book titled, “Maryland, My Maryland:’ Civil War Music and Patriotism” for the University of Nebraska Press.
The work tells the story of one the most iconic songs from the American Civil War and shows how its fluctuating popularity mirrored the volatile progression of the conflict as a whole. Dr. Davis noted that “Maryland, My Maryland” brings to light a number of important issues previously not considered, such as the difference in communicative function between instrumental and vocal versions of popular songs, the disparity between soldier and civilian perceptions of war songs, and the unique challenges confronting Civil War songs that sought to promote patriotism in a divided country.
