Judy Cook, Folksinger

On The Home Front

We tell the story of one family’s home and farm life during the Civil War through excerpts of family letters, songs of the Civil War, and projected images. Esther was Judy’s great-great-grandmother, married to a Wisconsin farmer, drafted at age 40. She and their two teen aged sons kept the small farm going. Gilbert & Esther Claflin and their sons letters. Tunes of the time and songs of the Civil War. Photos of the day, works of art, and lyrics of the choruses. The audience is invited to join in the singing. The songs and tunes include both well-known and unfamiliar gems. The themes are timeless: joy and sorrow, humor, courage and love. Each song and tune helps to tell the story. The story is told in the words of the people of the day: the writers of the songs and Gilbert and Esther. The audience is transported to the days of the Civil War in a very personal, eye-witness experience. The letters between Judy's great-great-grandparents are in her book A Quiet Corner of the War (University of Wisconsin Press).

Recordings are Copyright Judy Cook and free for your personal use.
Audio from WOBC
Video from Homefront 720
Higher resolution versions of all recordings are available for presentation. Contact Judy for permission and files.

14 Songs

TitleSourceLyricsRecordings
Brave Boys are They Source Lyrics Recordings
Brother, Tell Me of the Battle Source Lyrics Recordings
Give Me the Spade Source Lyrics Recordings
Going Across The Mountain Source Lyrics Recordings
Grafted Into the Army Source Lyrics Recordings
Greencastle Jenny Source Lyrics Recordings
Home, Sweet Home Source Lyrics Recordings
Housewife's Lament Source Lyrics Recordings
I Dreamed my Boy was Home Again Source Lyrics Recordings
Southern Girl's Reply Source Lyrics Recordings
Sweet Evelina Source Lyrics Recordings
Vacant Chair Source Lyrics Recordings
Wait For The Wagon Source Lyrics Recordings
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Source Lyrics Recordings