New tune! I wrote this as an introduction to my orchestra's performance of "Ashokan Farewell." Since that tune is associated with the American Civil War, I took my dad's advice and named it after the events on April 9th, 1865. This was the day that Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee agreed upon peace in Virginia.
Growing up as the daughter of an avid Civil War reenactor, I have many fond memories of reenacting! My sister and I were good friends of President Abe Lincoln! I remember one occasion where my dad was playing the role of General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson and everyone was calling him 'Stonewall Johnson.' We lived in a tent and my mom cooked everything over the fire whilst wearing gigantic hoop skirts. Many nights were spent around the campfire, listening to the sound of her guitar accompanying all the standard civil war songs. I'll never forget hiding under a dining table in a farmhouse while cannon fire shattered the windows or being a short 5 year old dancing with all these tall soldiers! Those were the days! ☺
