Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

---

Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/0Gt38YT4AQDg4xRLFH5xuD?si=BNV8P5WQTlqoVoj8rlwA6A
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/historical-songs-on-piano-the-american-civil-war/1810528848

Good day! This is a piano instrumental of “The Southern Soldier Boy,” which is an aria from George W. Alexander’s 1863 play “The Virginia Cavalier.” The song is written from the perspective of a woman whose husband has left to fight in the American Civil War.

*This video is not an endorsement of any political ideology and is not to be interpreted as such. It was created out of interest in historical music for educational purposes.*

George W. Alexander was best known as the commandant of the Confederate Castle Thunder prison, which housed civilian prisoners, Union spies, political prisoners, and POWs. He had a reputation for brutality, which prompted an investigation by the Confederate House of Representatives, though he was eventually cleared of charges.

The image featured int his video is a painting called “Capitol Farewell,” by Mort Künstler. The painting depicts a young couple bidding farewell in front of the North Carolina Capitol building during the American Civil War.


Lyrics:
Bob Roebuck is my sweetheart's name,
He's off to the wars and gone;
He's fighting for his Nanny dear,
His sword is buckled on,
He's fighting for his own true love;
His foes he does defy;
He is the darling of my heart,
My Southern soldier boy.

Oh, if in battle he were slain,
I know that I would die,
But I am sure he'll come again
To cheer my weeping eye.
But should he fall in this our glorious cause,
He still would be my joy,
For many a sweetheart mourns the loss
Of her Southern soldier boy.

I hope for the best, and so do all
Whose hopes are in the field;
I know that we shall win the day
For Southrons never yield.
And when we think of those who are away,
We look above for joy,
And I'm mighty glad that my Bobby is
A Southern soldier boy.


This music was made using Logic Pro.