The Vacant Chair
First recording and first release by Mr. J. W. Myers (February 7, 1898 / 1898)
- Music written by
- George F. Root
- Lyrics written by
- Henry S. Washburn
- Copyright date
- 1862
- Language
- English
- Comments
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The Vacant Chair was a Civil War poem written by Henry S. Washburn and set to music by George Root in 1862. It provides an example of a song from the home-front perspective.
The melancholy song mourns the loss of a son and remembrance of 'how our noble Willie fell'. This is a reference to Second Lieutenant John William Grout, whose death at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in 1861 inspired Washburn’s lyrics. The image of ‘the vacant chair’ signifies the empty space Grout’s absence left as the family gathered for Thanksgiving. - Published by
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EDWARD B MARKS MUSIC COMPANY
BMI
- Licensing
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