<P> The song held popularity for over a decade and throughout the American Civil War . The song's reach throughout the United States and popularity has been attributed to soldiers of the war, who passed the tune from location to location during the war's tenure . Soldiers of the war, both Union and Confederate, visited Federal Hill by the thousands to see the landmark that lent visual inspiration for Foster's song both during the war and after . Following the war, Federal Hill continued to be frequented by tourists throughout the remainder of the 19th century . </P> <P> After the American Civil War had ended and the institution of slavery was abolished, the song, "My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night!", which encouraged and inspired abolitionist views in the United States thereafter continued to be held in high esteem by the public . The typical reduction of the song's title from "My Old Kentucky Home, Good - Night!" to "My Old Kentucky Home" occurred after the turn of the century . </P> <P> The song's first verse and chorus are recited annually at the Kentucky Derby . Colonel Matt Winn introduced the song as a derby tradition . As early as 1930, it was played to accompany the Post Parade; the University of Louisville Marching Band has played the song for all but a few years since 1936 . In 1982, Churchill Downs honored Foster by establishing the Stephen Foster Handicap . The University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Murray State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University bands play the song at their schools' football and basketball games . </P> <P>--Preamble to a 1928 Act of the Kentucky legislature </P>

Who sang my old kentucky home at the derby
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