Published in 1855 in Briggs' Banjo Instructor, “Circus Jig” and “Jim Along Josie” were popular minstrel banjo tunes of the day. In this episode, the banjo player begins tentatively picking out the tune and is soon joined by his band mates who begin to fill out the melody one-by-one, until all are...

In America of the early 1800s, nonsense songs were frequently written about larger than life characters. This tune, written by Dan Emmett and published in 1843 by Charles Keith Company of Boston, Mass. is a great example. The song was popularized by Emmett’s band, the “Virginia Minstrels,” and is...

The origin of this folk song is lost to history. “The Girl I Left Behind Me” is claimed by both England and Ireland. It is said to date to the mid-1700s or even possibly back to the 1600s. The earliest known publication in print that lists the title and lyrics dates to 1791 in “The Charms of Melo...

This song’s sheet Music was published at Boston, MA by C. H. Keith in 1843. It included an endorsement “As performed by the Virginia Minstrels, words by Dan Emmett.” The sheet music does not mention the melody’s composer. However the melody’s author is mentioned in the preface of “White’s New ...

Private John Dinkins, Co. C 18th Mississippi Volunteer Infantry described the march of Mc Law’s Division – including Kershaw’s South Carolina Brigade, of which the 2nd South Carolina regiment was one – towards the Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam of 1862. Dinkins recalled, “The men moved along at a ...