Added: 4 years ago
From: AmericanaExperience
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  • This is my favorite version of this song. First heard it on "Songs of the Civil War"

  • Lets bring them home. There is no need to have any more vacant chairs for Afganistan, Pakistan or Iran. Elect Ron Paul the only person who will bring my brother home.

  • I finished the playlist. 

  • this song is about the civil war and how many people died (teens (mostly) and fathers died).

  • This is the same melody as "Lifes Railway To Heaven".A lovely song.

  • I thought that the men and women that have carried our red white and blue flag from the USA fight today came from the United States of America from the north and south from the east and west ...our country fighting men... all bleed red... no matter what color they are or what part of our country they are from God Bless You All .. a northern girl

  • While showing Civil War sheet music, and telling stories behind many of the songs that came out of that war, I explained the story of the 1862 song, "The Vacant Chair." A young lady perhaps 20 started to cry, then explained, her brother was in Iraq, and every night, her mother set a place for him at the dinner table. This song is as relevant today as it was in 1862. Today, children leave their home for school, and will return tonight to that Vacant Chair. When you see a USA soldier, HUG him!

  • I still think it sounds good, and my ears are working just fine.

  • I have all respect for the song, but This version SUCKS! She is singing in "the basement' Can't hear the words as the music drowns her out and the tune is far from correct! Just Crap! But all of Nashville will pat her on the back and say how great it is! That's what's wrong w/ that town and why I left after wasting ten years of my life there! If you're part of there little "Click" they will tell you a 'squeeky' door sounds good!

  • @crashmaster57 To each his own.

  • @crashmaster57 Nope, a great version, and as far as I am concerned, the ONLY, version.

  • @crashmaster57 Actually, she did this version for Ken Burns "Songs of the Civil War". It was a followup to the PBS documentary by Ken Burns "The Civil War". If you can't hear the words, maybe you need a better sound setup.

  • @stvsmith2009 Really you need "EARS" to know how bad it is! Don't bother me again!

  • @crashmaster57 lulz, bitter much?

  • @coleman996 whatever?

  • beautiful song'<3

  • Haunting. stark, beautiful, wonderful.... I could go on & on. I agree "Thanks to Kathy and others that keep these old songs alive". willy

  • If you read correctly, the resolutions stated the preservation of a way of life. That way of life did include the owning of slave for a select few. The majority of the population of the south were poor farmers who could not afford slaves. They were owned by the wealthy. The resolutions passed n the congress of the United States was to tax the states according to population and they included the slaves as population, but they did not allow for the slaves in representation.

  • @Hawk6DM They also would not allow the slave a vote. Therefore the major reason for secession was taxation without representation. The very reason the Continental Congress declared independence from England. I'll ask this. If you owned a business and the US Government came along and multiplied you taxes 100 fold, but allowed you no say, how would you feel about it?

  • Whatever you wish to believe. But every Southern state that seceded passed a secession resolution in its legislature, and every state identified the preservation of slavery as its reason for secession.

  • @d1stewart1 NOT, as IT'S reason........as A, reason. A BIG difference.

  • have you ever heard of,or have you ever seen,"The gangs of New York"? when New Yorkers ,on the first day of the new draft for the civil war, rioted and murdered any black they could find...blaming them for the war....and MAYBE you have heard that lincoln was willing to take the slavery deal OFF the table to preserve the union...it WAS the preservation of ous way of life....read a book...

  • have you ever heard of,or have you ever seen,"The gangs of New York"? when New Yorkers ,on the first day of the new draft for the civil war, rioted and murdered any black they could find...blaming them for the war....and MAYBE you have heard that lincoln was willing to take the slavery deal OFF the table to preserve the union...it WAS the preservation of our way of life....read a book...

  • One of my all time favorites... Thanks for posting it.

  • While this song was popular in the south as well as the north, the poem was written to commemorate the death of a Union soldier, Lt. John William Grout of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry. It was later put to music by George Root, who wrote many famous songs during that time, including the Battle Cry of Freedom - another song that was so popular in the Union that it was later adapted for the Confederacy.

  • Always loved Kathy, had a picture of her with her guitar hanging in my study.

    My wife was not thrilled. I was.

  • @sugarfoot59 One year later, and my thoughts remain the same, for they are eternal and only God, will know and understand.

  • It is absolutely great that someone keeps those patriots memory alive, those brave men who died fighting for what a WAR we will never win

  • Love this song...wehter you're a Reb or Yank..this song speaks to us all..beautiful song!!

  • This is my favorite rendition of this wonderful song. You can find it on CD on "Songs of the Civil War" (the Columbia Records version)

  • Not the most familiar tune for the song. This one is usually sung to "Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad".....but I really like it.

  • A beautiful song,beautifully performed.

  • aspen1987...I love Kathy Mattea.......thanks for posting this beautiful song.....

  • What a great version of this old tune !

    Remember all those who fought for that war,

    and those who came after,

    and those that are still not coming home.

    They are one & the same.

  • Is this on a CD with this back up any where? I find it very haunting.

  • The CD is called "Songs of the Civil War." The song is on iTunes.

  • Thank You. I will look for it. I find myself whistling the tune most of the time.

  • wgat a beautifull song ty kathy jusyaniceangel

  • RIP LCpl Nick Hand Nov. 22 2009 OEF...

    2/2 warlords semper fi nick

  • On Thanksgiving Day, the Vacant Chair is seen in many families' tables. A tribute to our soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom and our nation.

  • oh that is so sad but beautiful. War is truly horrible and takes such a toll on families. This one hits home for me personally having family on both sides of this truly awful conflict. It is good to remember people who died for their beliefs with honor

  • Just bear in mind that Lt. John W. Grout served in the 15th Massachusetts, Company D. This song was written in his memory so, yes Northerners could fight and die for a cause too.

  • I'm always shocked that the guy lives all the way through "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"

    I love you Kathy, adore you, but so many people die in your songs.

  • ahhhh, such are the songs of the mountians....many of them are songs of sorrow...and this one, though written about a man who never made it home to my home stomping grounds, speaks to us all at this time of year...excellent song for this time of year...thanks for posting!!

  • incredible song.

    wow!

    I hope others hear this. This is an excellent video with a great message.

    thank you

  • regio meridiana victa est!

  • Deo Vindice!

  • Songs like this are a national treasure. Thanks to Kathy and those like her that keep these old songs alive.

  • Fantastic! 5****

  • The original tune was published by George Root in 1862. This tune-the same as "Life is Like a Mountain Railway", a gospel tune, was published in 1890. As far as I could research, the first to use this tune to the words was Pete Seeger.

    Still, I think Kathy does a fine job of it.

  • I have the song on an early 78rpm Victor recording, sung by the RCA Victor Male Chorus.

    But I agree that Kathy does a fine job on this tear jerker.

  • My favorite Kathy Mattea recording.

  • For all the vacant chairs from the Republic That Once Was Vietnam. May the good GOD hold them in His Hands Forever.

  • I had this on a old VHS tape (that doesn't play anymore) Songs of the Civil War.I was hoping somebody would post it one day.I've missed hearing it.Thanks

  • Excellent! Kathy Mattea, what a great voice and does anyone know the lady background vocalist was?

    Thanks for posting and God Bless!

  • didnt remember this one. thanks for posting!

  • Sadly there were a lot of "Vacant Chair's" around the Dinner tables yesterday. 12/25/07.....

  • Deo Vindice.

    May We All Remember Those Who Gave From Their Hearts, regardless of conviction, regardless of time, regardless of place, regardless of battle or skirmish; rising to three very precious and resounding words...Duty, Honor, Country.

    The Vacant Chair remains a place of Honor.

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