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Music pays homage to War of 1812
Other than “The Star Spangled Banner,” it’s difficult to name a song associated with the War of 1812. Photo: .:Axle:. Flicker
What’s the best way to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with Buffalo flair?
UB alumnus Jonathan Hughes led a small army of local musicians to record a collection of songs about the war: “Coffee for Two and Pistols for Four: Music from and inspired by the War of 1812.
“The Star Spangled Banner” is one of the few songs to emerge from the war. Hughes, BA English ’93, found lyrics to two others, but no accompanying sheet music. Those songs were reinterpreted for the collection, with new music written in place of the melodies that were lost to history. The remaining songs were inspired by events from the theater of war that stretched along the Niagara Frontier.
Doug Lambert, BS, Civil Engineering ’97, a guitarist and vocalist for the project, is currently a PhD candidate and research fellow in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. He wrote the title track, a song about a daring nighttime raid on Lake Erie. Vocalist Lisa Forrest, BS, Occupational Therapy ’99 & MLS ’04, also contributed a few compositions, including one co-written with Lambert. Cathy Carfagna, a senior proposal writer for corporate and foundation relations, plays organ on a tune that tells the story of Snake Hill, just west of Old Fort Erie.
All the songs are available for free download. Download each song individually or the entire 53-minute collection in one .zip file.
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