The Vacant Chair
| Composer | George F. Root |
| Lyricist | Henry S. Washburn |
| Year Published | 1862 |
| Type | Domestic Scenes |
| Playing Time | 2:46 |
| Comments | "The Vacant Chair" will never grow old. The Battle of Balls Bluff, VA., in which General McClellan was defeated, was fought on the 21st of October, 1861. In the engagement was the 15th Massachusetts and a lieutenant of only 18 years old, Wm. G. Grout who fought with valor and courage. He was killed in aiding the retreat. Four weeks later Henry S. Washburn, being well acquainted with the young Grout, and thinking with deep emotion of the chair that would be vacant at the Thanksgiving board in the home of sorrow, wrote the words of the song in one of these inspired moments. In a few weeks after the lines were written, Dr. Root set them to music, and international fame.
Notes from Bill Warren |