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Unit 2: New Nation

"Bunker Hill"

by Steve Rapaport

 

Song:

"Bunker Hill/American Hero"

Words:   by Nathaniel Niles, 1775

Music:  Andrew Law

This can be a 15-stanza song, though this recording has three stanzas.

Recommended Recording

Gregg Smith Singers,  (1976), The Founding Years-1620-1800,  LP, SUBX, ,5350 VOX Box, USA

Song Background

This song deals with the main issues of war.  They are life, death, defeat and victory.  Unlike many songs of the 18th century this is considered a secular song.  It was not a strictly religious song.  It is a ballad and unlike many ballads of the time told of the carnage of war.  The song “Bunker Hill,” celebrated the battle between the British and the colonial soldiers.  Even thought the colonials lost the battle it gave them the impetus to go on and defeat the British.  Nathanial Miles wrote the words and the music was composed by one of America’s most distinguished colonial musicians, Andrew Law.  According to author Gregg Smith, “Laws piece expressed emotions and suffering commensurate with the famous battle.”

Discussion Questions:

  • Define the following words:  carnage (killing of large number of people), despot (a cruel ruler who holds absolute power), serpent (large snake), Medusa (woman with snakes coming out of her head), ballad (poem or narrative passed orally from one generation to the next), and hymn (a religious poem or song praising god), secular (not relating to religion, worldly).

  • Explain the difference between a ballad and a hymn?

  • Give several reasons why the American Revolutionary war began including the stamp, and tea acts in your answer?

  • Can one life make a difference during a war?   Marines are taught to throw themselves on a live grenade if it is thrown in the direction of one’s squad.  Would you do this?  Why or Why not?
  • Explain how the use of technology could have guaranteed a British victory?  Why didn’t the British chose to use the weapons available to them? How has technology changed the way Americans fight wars today?

Extended Question:

Read the article by Colin Powell on the American soldier.  After reading the article work in groups to analyze how the American soldier has contributed to the stability of our society.

Sources:

Books:

  • Brand, Oscar, (1972), Songs of 76, M. Evans and Company,  Inc.,  USA.
  • Camus, Raoul F. (1976), Military Music of the American Revolution, The University of North Carolina Press, USA.
  • Lee, Vinson, 1974, The Early American Songbook, Prentice-Hall, Inc., USA
  • Silber, Irwin, (1973), Songs of Independence,  Stackpole Books, USA.

URL’s

Movie: 

American Revolution, The: From Colonies to Constitution: The War for Independence. United Learning. 2001.

unitedstreaming. 5 July 2006