The Bonnie Blue Flag

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Cover of the 1861 sheet music for "The Bonnie Blue Flag"
Cover of the 1861 sheet music for "The Bonnie Blue Flag"
The Bonnie Blue Flag, referred to in the song.
The Bonnie Blue Flag, referred to in the song.

"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 Ulster-born entertainer Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from the song "The Irish Jaunting Car". The song's title refers to the unofficial first Flag of the Confederacy, the "Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star" of the chorus.

Contents

[edit] Lyrics controversy

The first verse of the song goes:

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.

The first line explains the song's alternate title. The second line is sometimes given as "fighting for our liberty with treasure, blood, and toil". This has been taken as an attempt by some at historical revisionism for political purposes. Supporters of the "treasure, blood, and toil" version claim that the "property" version is the revisonist history version. A copy of the 1861 song sheet posted on a website by University of San Diego professor Steve Schoenherr illustrates the "property" version.[1]

According to Schoenherr, the song sheet was first published in 1861 by A. E. Blackmar and Brother in New Orleans. When Major General Benjamin Butler captured New Orleans, he allegedly arrested Blackmar, fined Blackmar $500, destroyed all copies of the music, and ordered that anyone caught whistling or singing "The Bonnie Blue Flag" would be fined $25 (about $482 in 2005).[1] Eleven other editions of the song were published with different lyrics.

[edit] Complete lyrics of one version

We are a band of brothers and native to the soil

Fighting for our Liberty, With treasure, blood and toil

And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

Chorus:

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights, hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

2. As long as the Union was faithful to her trust

Like friends and like brethren, kind were we, and just

But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar

We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Chorus

3. 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.

Chorus

4. Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right

Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight

Davis, our loved President, and Stephens statesmen are

Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Chorus

5. Now here's to brave Virginia, the old Dominion State,

With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate,

And spurred by her example, now other states prepar'

To hoist high the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.

Chorus[2]

6. 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.

Chorus

7. 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.

Chorus[3]

[edit] Media

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bonnie Blue Flag
  2. ^ We are a band of brothers / Bonnie Blue Flag
  3. ^ Patriotic - the Bonnie Blue Flag

[edit] External links

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