More on Dixie

When I submitted the article on "Dixie," I wanted to have a Confederate version of the song and a Federal version of the song as sidebars. CWT did just that, just not the specific versions that I had chosen. For the Federal version, I chose a set of lyrics written by Fannie Crosby, one of America’s greatest lyricists. Never heard of her? She put somewhere close to 10,000 poems on paper. Beside working with George F. Root during the war, she also wrote such familiar tunes as "Blessed Assurance," "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," and many, many more. If you are still not familiar with her, you need to get back in church.

But I digress.

I have been collecting versions of Dixie written during the war for probably around 20 years. I probably have 100 versions in this collection. Some of them are whole songs, some just a verse or two. The Confederate version I chose was penned by Lt. George B. Johnston of Company G, 28th North Carolina Troops. The version mentions different companies and their captains, like the Yadkin Stars, commanded by captain, and later colonel William H. A. Speer. The composer went on to serve on Brig. Gen. James H. Lane’s staff as assistant adjutant general, but resigned in August 1863, and died of consumption in April 1864.

Away down South in the land of cotton,
Times of peace are not forgotten
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
For though the cloud of the war hangs o’er.
We soon shall see its form no more:
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus
Then shout "Hurrah for Dixie!" Hurrah! Hurrah!
In Dixie Land we’ll take our stand, To live and die for Dixie!
Hurrah! Hurrah! We’ll live and die for Dixie!
Hurrah! Hurrah! We’ll live and die for Dixie!

‘Tis true their ships our ports blockade
and cruel feet our soil invade;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
But When the Twenty-eighth gets there,
The scamps will run in wild despair.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

When "Norman" brings his boys from "Surry,"
The Yankees better move in a hurry;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
The "Invincibles," if well equipped
and led by "Edwards," can’t be whipped.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

The Yankee rogues would better pack,
When the "Stanley Hunters find their track;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
When "Lowe" shall bid his "Farmers" fire,
His foes will reap destruction dire.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

As "Barringer" leads on his "Grays,"
Full many a Yankee’ll end his days:
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
When "Kinyoun" comes with his "Yadkin Boys,"
He’ll put an end to the Yankee joys.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

And "Martin’s Guards of Independence,"
Have fame in store for their descendants:
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
And "Wright" with his "Cleveland Regulators"
Will send dismay to the Yankee traitors.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

And "Speer" with his brilliant "Yadkin Stars"
Will die in defense of the Stars and Bars;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
While the "Stanly Guards," by "Moody" led,
Will be the Yankees’ special dread/
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus

The Twenty-eighth is organized
With "Reeves" and "Lowe" both highly prized;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
If "Lane" will only be their colonel,
The Yankees’ fate will be eternal.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Chorus