There were several versions of "Dixie," as both sides in the Civil War tried to exploit the popular tune. Here's a sampling of versions written during that era.
"(I Wish I Was In) Dixie's Land"
Original first verse
"Southrons Hear Your Country Call You"
"Dixie for the Union"
The first published version of "Dixie," in 1860, included lyrics in the mock African-American dialect used by minstrels of the day:
"(I Wish I Was In) Dixie's Land"
By Daniel Decatur Emmett
I wish I was in land ob cotton,
Old times dar am not forgotten,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
In Dixie Land whar' I was born in,
Early on one frosty mornin',
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
CHORUS:
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie;
Away, away, away down south in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Old Missus marry Will-de-weaber,
Willium was a gay deceaber; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
But when he put his arms around 'er
He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaber,
But dat did not seem to greab 'er;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Old Missus acted the foolish part,
And died for a man dat broke her heart,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Now here's a health to the next old Missus,
And all the gals dat want to kiss us;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
But if you want to drive 'way sorrow,
Come and hear dis song to-morrow,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Dar's buckwheat cakes an' Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble,
To Dixie's land I'm bound to trabble,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
The original first verse performed on the song's premier, April 4, 1859:
I wish I was in the land of cotton,
'Simmon seed and sandy bottom;
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie's land.
In Dixie land, whar I was born in,
Early on a frosty mornin';
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie's land.
Confederate General Albert Pike thought these lyrics would be more appropriate for Dixie as the Southern anthem:
Southrons Hear Your Country Call You
Words by Albert Pike
Southrons, hear your country call you!
Up, lest worse than death befall you!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Lo! all the beacon fires are lighted
Let all hearts be now united!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
CHORUS:
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!
And conquer peace for Dixie!
Hear the Northern thunders mutter!
Northern flags in South winds flutter!
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! In Dixie!
Fear no danger! Shun no labor!
Lift up rifle, pike, and sabre!
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! In Dixie!
How the South's great heart rejoices
At your cannon's ringing voices!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
For faith betrayed and pledges broken,
Wrongs inflicted, insults spoken,
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Strong as lions, swift as eagles,
Back to their kennels hunt these beagles!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Cut the unequal bond asunder!
Let them hence each other plunder!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
The Confederate version above never caught on, and neither did this attempt by the North to reclaim the song:
Dixie for the Union
Words by Frances J. Crosby
On! ye patriots to the battle
Hear Fort Moultrie's canon rattle
Then away, then away, then away to the fight!
Go meet those Southern Traitors with iron will
And should your courage falter boys
Remember Bunker Hill
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
The stars and stripes forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our Union shall not sever!
As our fathers crushed oppression
Deal with those who breathe Secession
Then away, then away, then away to the fight
Though Beauregard and Wigfall
Their swords may whet
Just tell them Major Anderson
Has not surrendered yet
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our Union shall not sever!
Is Virginia, too, seceeding?
Washington's remains unheeding?
Then away, then away, then away to the fight
Unfold our country's banner
In triumph there
And let the rebels desecrate
That banner if they dare
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our Union shall not sever!
Volunteers, be up and doing
Still the good old path pursuing
Then away, then away, then away to the fight
Your sires, who fought before you
Have led the way
Then follow in their footsteps
And be as brave as they
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our Union shall not sever!
On! ye patriots to the battle
Hear Fort Moultrie's cannon rattle
Then away, then away, then away to the fight
The star that lights our Union
Shall never set!
Though fierce may be the conflict
We'll gain the victory yet
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our Union shall not sever!
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