White Boys for McClellan

Available for Purchase

AIR: "Who will care for Mother Now?"

The original song sheet was "Respectfully dedicated to the McClellan Glee Clubs and 'White Boys' of the United States" but had no official title upon publication. The lyrics refer to McClellan's days leading the union army-- "the Old Commander." McClellan campaign songs represent the Democratic Party candidate as a forceful military leader that would usher in a "glorious peace." After three long years of fighting, the country was beginning to question the wisdom of the Civil War; many of the lyrics in this album were written before the Union Army's victory was certain. Like other McClellan songs, this plays on racial sentiments and portrays the Democratic candidate as the one who cares for the interests of white men. Lincoln's opponents characterized him as the supporter of the black cause.