Southern Dixie
"Dixie" was a favorite song in both the North and the South. It was one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite songs. He liked it so much that he had it played at his inauguration, the ceremony when he became president.
Abraham Lincoln's first Inauguration,
March 4, 1861, Washington D.C.
However, it was also popular in the South and when the Confederacy had needed a song to play at Jefferson Davis'inauguration that would show the south's spirit and enthusiasm, "Dixie" had been chosen. It went on to become the Confederacy's unofficial anthem with some word changes to make it more suited to the war.
Jefferson Davis' Inauguration
February 18, 1861, Montgomery, Alabama
As the war continued, Lincoln continued to request "Dixie" but northerner's had given up on the song and complained that it had become the South's song so he stopped. Four years later, when he was told that the Confederates had surrendered he stated that "Dixie" had been captured and he asked a band to play it! Here is the story:
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. The next day, despite rain and mud there were some 3,000 people in the streets celebrating....Three loud and hearty cheers were given, after which the President said:
‘FELLOW CITIZENS: I am very greatly rejoiced to find that an occasion has occurred so pleasurable that the people cannot restrain themselves. [Cheers.] ... I see you have a band of music with you. [Vocies: `We have two or three.’] I propose closing up this interview by the band performing a particular tune which I will name....I have always thought `Dixie’ one of the best tunes I have ever heard. Our adversaries over the way attempted to appropriate it, but I insisted yesterday that we fairly captured it. [Applause.] I presented the question to the Attorney General, and he gave it as his legal opinion that it is our lawful prize. [Laughter and applause.] I now request the band to favor me with its performance.'”
I doubt this would have been the version he requested as this is the war version of the song:
1. 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!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!
2. 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!
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!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!
3. 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!
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!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!
6. Swear upon your country's altar
Never to submit or falter!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Till the spoilers are defeated,
Till the Lord's work is completed,
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!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!