Uncle Sam's Funeral

DESCRIPTION: "'Twas but a little while ago That Copperheads were found With their great Vallanding-hammers A-hammering around." They declare Uncle Sam (i.e. the Union) dead. But Uncle Sam rises up "and the Coppers sneaked To where they all belong."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1964 (Dime-Song-Book #14)
KEYWORDS: Civilwar desertion humorous wordplay
FOUND IN: US(MA)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Thompson-BodyBootsAndBritches-NewYorkStateFolktales, p. 362, "Uncle Sam's Funeral" (1 text)
Dime-Song-Book #14, pp. 28-29, "Uncle Sam's Funeral" (1 text)
Roud #6608
NOTES [97 words]: In the American Civil War, the Copperheads were politicians (mostly Democratic) who favored letting the Confederates succeed without a fight, and their most significant spokesman was Ohio congressman Clement Vallandigham (1820-1871), who is referred to in the song. At one time he was turned over to the Confederates (who hardly wanted him), but when he returned north, he was allowed to continue his anti-Union message. He obviously didn't end the war, and I doubt he did anything to prolong it, but he certainly wasn't popular with Republicans or others who favored the war. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.6
File: TNY362

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