The fact that segregationists adopted “Dixie” as their answer to songs like “We Shall Overcome” was the death knell for the song which was increasing regarded a as a racist relic. Some of the earliest protests came from Southern universities where the song was a marching band staple. However, it didn’t truly fall out of favor until the rise of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Where cotton’s king and men are chattels,ĭuring the Reconstruction period, rancor continued to grow for the song and its ties to slavery. Right away, come away, right away, come away. There were even Union lyrics for the song: Albert Pike, wrote new lyrics for the song, abandoning all of the minstrel verses except for “In Dixie Land, I’ll take my stand … To live and die in Dixie” Emmett told a fellow performer that same year, “If I had known to what use they were going to put my song, I will be damned if I’d have written it.” “Dixie” became a hit in the South when the Rumsey and Newcomb Minstrels performed the song in New Orleans in March 1860. Look Away! Look Away! Look Away! Dixie Land It was the first verse and chorus of the song that caused it to become the unofficial anthem of the Confederate states: But the fact that it was performed by white minstrels in blackface with exaggerated black English vernacular was the first of many reasons the song became so racially charged. When Bryant’s Minstrels introduced the song in New York City it quickly became a hit with its infectious 4/4 beat. Some believe “Dixie” was really a tune passed on toĭaniel Decatur “Dan” Emmett (Octo– June 28, 1904)Įmmett by a pair of African-American brothers born to parents who were slaves.Įmmett was a proficient song writer who also penned “Turkey in the Straw,” “Old Dan Tucker,” and “Blue-Tail Fly.” The song was written in 1859 by Daniel Emmett, an Ohio native, who was a member of Bryant’s Minstrels. Then there was “Dixie,” or more properly, “Dixie’s Land.” “John Brown’s Body” was transformed by poet Julia Ward Howe into the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”Ĭonfederates particularly enjoyed “The Bonnie Blue Flag” and the romantic “Lorena.” Both armies shared songs like “Just Before The Battle Mother,” “Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground,” “The Vacant Chair” and “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” We’ll rally ’round the bonny flag, we’ll rally once again, Our Dixie forever! She’s never at a loss!ĭown with the eagle and up with the cross! Our flag is proudly floating on the land and on the main,īeneath it oft we’ve conquered, and we’ll conquer oft again! The Battle Cry Of Freedom Southern Version The Battle Cry Of Freedom Northern Version “The Battle Cry of Freedom” was a Union favorite, but there was a Southern version of the song as well. Just like many other issues raised by the Civil War, the origins, meaning and intent of the song, “Dixie,” remains a topic of debate.īoth Confederate and Union troops had their own favorite songs both patriotic and sentimental. As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, December 31, 2006
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