It's time again for Three Tune Tuesday, that day of the week where members of the Hive community shares three songs of their liking with the rest of the community.
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- Blind Skeleton Three Tune Tuesday on Apple podcasts!
I take a slow, relaxing approach to Three Tune Tuesday: I like to share pre-1924 78rpm songs from my collection, and record them while playing on an appropriate time-period windup phonograph. I encourage you to take a few moments and slow down with me. Settle down, close your eyes, and take yourself back.. way back.. in time, to a distant uncle's parlour in the early 1920's. There are comfortable seats, pleasant conversation, and old music.
Well, it seems like it has been forever since I've posted in TTT, or anywhere on Hive for that matter. I'll be impressed if anyone even remembers me! I feel like I've forgotten, too!
Now, that said, it is a brand new year and, though I've not been active on Hive, I have been active elsewhere, and have an entire year's worth of Three Tune Tuesday podcasts available (check the link above, or check out https://blindskeleton.one/blind-skeleton-podcasts/). If you have a couple hours to spare, I suggest listening to the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve casts!
Getting on to the music, and the story behind it. My son - the only one still in school - is working on an American History Day project. The theme, in particular, is Rights and Responsibilities. This got me thinking about a good theme for the week, and it ended up being history.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
https://ia601608.us.archive.org/3/items/edison-82133_01_5591/cusb_ed_82133_01_5591_0c.mp3
I've actually played a different version of this song before. Battle Hymn has a pretty fascinating story behind it. First, this song was inspired by a previous song named John Brown's Body. If you're not familiar with John Brown, he was a pretty fascinating character. The tl/dr of John Brown is that he was an anti-slave abolitionist in the mid 1800's who tried (unsuccessfully) to incite a slave rebellion. He was captured, tried for treason, and executed.
The song John Brown's Body itself was based off the hymn Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us?. Music really does feed on itself.
Battle Hymn was written to support the Union troops during the civil war, and likened their battle to a holy battle.
*Wreck of the Old 97
https://dn720304.ca.archive.org/0/items/wreck-of-the-old-97_202102/Wreck%20Of%20The%20Old%2097.mp3
The song "Wreck of the Old 97" is a haunting ballad rooted in a real-life tragedy that occurred on September 27, 1903. On that fateful day, a mail train known as the "Fast Mail"—designated as No. 97—was speeding southbound on the Southern Railway line en route from Monroe, Virginia, to Spencer, North Carolina. The train had been running behind schedule, and its engineer, Joseph A. "Steve" Broady, was under immense pressure to make up for lost time to deliver the mail on schedule. As the train approached a steep descent near Stillhouse Trestle, just outside of Danville, Virginia, its excessive speed proved disastrous. The train derailed while rounding a sharp curve, plunging into the ravine below. Eleven people lost their lives in the accident, making it one of the most infamous train wrecks in American history.
O! Susanna
"Oh! Susanna" is one of the most iconic songs of 19th-century America, written by Stephen Foster in 1848. It was Foster's first major hit and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the adventurous spirit of a young nation. The song is written from the perspective of a man on a journey to find his beloved Susanna, humorously recounting his trials along the way. Its jaunty melody and lighthearted lyrics made it a favorite among audiences, particularly during the California Gold Rush, when it became an anthem for those seeking fortune and new beginnings. Many prospectors adopted the song as they traveled westward, embodying its themes of hope, perseverance, and the pioneering spirit.
Despite its widespread popularity, "Oh! Susanna" reflects the complexities of its time. Foster wrote it in the style of a minstrel tune, a genre that often included racial caricatures and stereotypes. While Foster’s original lyrics were less overtly racist than many of his contemporaries' works, later adaptations and performances frequently incorporated offensive elements. This historical context has led to discussions about the song's place in American culture. However, "Oh! Susanna" remains significant as one of the first pieces of American popular music to achieve national and even international fame. Its enduring melody and playful narrative have cemented its legacy, making it a symbol of the optimism and challenges of 19th-century America.
Three Tune Tuesday (TTT) is initiated by 
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