Inside The Last Laird of Sapelo, militia soldiers sing along to a new inspirational song in a Darien tavern on New Year’s Eve when Colonel Randolph Spalding stopped by en route to Savannah. The Bonnie Blue Flag
Today we think of Dixie as the main song of the South, but that was a tune written in 1859 in New York before it made its way south after the war broke out. Bonnie Blue Flag grew as a popular camp song for the soldiers early in the war because it affirmed the reason they left homes and farms and families to fight for the Confederacy. Early in the formation of the Confederate Army, battle flags with a single star prevailed, ergo the lyrics of this song.
After the main battles took place in Northern Virginia, the more familiar battle flags of the Confederacy dominated although militia battle flags varied throughout the war. At the same time, the camp song Dixie gained popularity rallying militia soldiers for the cause they fought–the defense of the Confederacy.
Song Lyrics Matter and Tell a Story
The Bonnie Blue Flag (click for a rendition)
“The Bonnie Blue Flag”, also known as “We Are a Band of Brothers”, is an 1861 marching song associated with the Confederate States of America. The words were written by the entertainer Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from the song “The Irish Jaunting Car”. Lyricist & Composer: Harry McCarthy, Written 1861 in Tennessee.
Song Lyrics…
We are a band of brothers and native to the soil
Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand
Then came Alabama and took her by the hand
Next, quickly Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star, (Hurrah)
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right
Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight
Davis, our good President and Stephens statesmen are
All rally ’round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star, (Hurrah!)
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Then here’s to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave
Like patriots of old we’ll fight, our heritage to save
And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer
So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star, (Hurrah!)
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a joyous shout
For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out
And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven
Dixie (click for a rendition)
“Dixie”, also known as “Dixie’s Land”, “I Wish I Was in Dixie”, and other titles, is a song about the Southern United States. It was written and first performed in New York City in April 1859, as part of a minstrel show. It is one of the most distinctively Southern musical products of the 19th century. Written & composed by Daniel Decatur Emmett, born in Ohio.
Song Lyrics
Southern men, the thunders mutter
Northern flags in South winds flutter
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
Send them back your fierce defiance
Stamp upon the cursed alliance
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
Advance the flag of Dixie, hurrah, hurrah
For Dixie’s land we take our stand, and live or die for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
Fear no danger, shun no labor
Lift up rifle, pike and saber
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
Shoulder pressing, close to shoulder
Let the odds make each heart bolder
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
Advance the flag of Dixie, hurrah, hurrah
For Dixie’s land we take our stand, and live or die for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
Swear upon your country’s altar
Never to submit or falter
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
‘Til the spoilers are defeated
‘Til the Lord’s work is completed
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) in Dixie
Advance the flag of Dixie, hurrah, hurrah
For Dixie’s land we take our stand, and live or die for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
To arms (to arms), to arms (to arms) and conquer peace for Dixie
Today, these tunes still stir emotions for a host of reasons…but what about the song lyrics?
I recognize the War Between the States left deep scars on both sides. Thousands of brave young men left behind grieving mothers, widowed wives, and fatherless children. American blood spilled for four long years at the hands of Americans.
We may continue to argue over the cause and the outcome, but I wonder: What would have happened had hot-headed politicians on both sides realized the price the Country would pay to battle itself?
There were far more people in the South and North than history books tell who believed armed conflict would not solve the divide and only harden hearts. In The Last Laird of Sapelo, the Spaldings, Kenans, and Wyllys wanted no part of Secession as a solution. Like so many other families, they ended up choosing to defend the land and lives they loved, and legacies they swore to defend in a war they wanted to avoid.
I hope after you read The Last Laird of Sapelo, you’ll seek to understand that our Nation’s history is not cut and dry, nor so black and white, and wonder what if? What if America had resolved the issues that sparked the Civil War without resorting to American blood being spilled on American soil. The end of slavery was certainly an issue, but many foresaw its end on the horizon. If only…
Please catch an upcoming book talk or signing, or write to me regarding your thoughts or questions. We need to understand our past better to forge a better future as a Nation… History matters.
