The Bonnie Blue Flag

Next to "Dixie," no other song was as well loved by Confederate soldiers as "The Bonnie Blue Flag." The first star of the Confederacy was a blue flag with a single white star. It was flying above the Confederate batteries that first opened fire on Fort Sumter.

The song was written by Harry Macarthy, "The Arkansas Comedian," after he heard that Mississippi had joined the Confederacy. The complete song counts out the eleven Confederate states. Macarthy was a popular performer during the war and wrote several other patriotic songs for the South.

This video is from the movie "Gods and Generals" depicting Macarthy performing the song for Confederate troops.

This video has the complete song but some of the lyrics are slightly different.

1. 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!"

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 brothers

Both 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.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

3. First gallant South Carolina

Nobly made the stand,

Then came Alabama,

Who took her by the hand.

Next quickly Mississippi,

Georgia and Florida

All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

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.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

5. And here's to old Virginia--

The Old Dominion State--

Who with the young Confederacy

At length has linked her fate;

Impelled by her example,

Now other states prepare

To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

6. Then cheer, boys, cheer;

Raise the 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.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

7. Then here's to our Confederacy,

Strong are we 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.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.