Battle hymns sung by fearless men and women

Early singing schools in Indiana.

“During the winter months of the early years of our state’s history, the singing-school formed an important part of the social life of the people. It was a little like the class or chorus of to-day, which is led by the piano or an orchestra. The singing-master then pitched the tunes by the aid of the tuning-fork. He also beat time for the singers and thus kept them together. As there was no instrument to lead, the tone of each part was given to those selected to sing it, and on a certain beat the singing began. The selection was sung by note until the tune was very well known, then the words were sung. The songs of those days were as little like the songs we sing to-day as the pioneer life was like the life of the present. They were different both in words and music. They were battle hymns sung by fearless men and women while conquering the wilderness of the west. The notes used in the first singing-schools were called ‘buckwheat notes,’ because they were in shape like grains of buckwheat.”

Will H. Glascock, Young Folks’ Indiana; A Story of Triumphant Progress. Chicago, IL: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1898, p. 140