The Bonnie Blue Flag

The marching song of the Confederacy, 1861.
words and music by Harry Macarthy

The melody is an Irish folk air “The Irish Jaunting Car”, in 6/8 or jig time. For marching it should be at 180 bpm, with spirit. It was written by an English singer who was touring the southern U.S. at the start of the Civil War. It recalls the secession of the eleven southern states as they left the Union.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by American Dreams Stephen Foster:



Lyrics

  1. 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!

  1. As long as the Union was faithful to her trust
    Like friends and like bretheren 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
  2. 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
  3. 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 rare
    Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a Single Star
  4. And here’s to brave Virginia! the Old Dominion State
    With the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate
    Impell’d by her example, now other State prepare
    To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a Single Star
  5. Then cheer, boys, raise the joyous shout
    For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out
    And let another rousing cheer for Tennnessee be given
    The Single Star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be Eleven
  6. 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
Hurrah! Hurrah! for Southern Rights, Hurrah!
Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag has gained th’Eleventh Star!


Sung here by Fred Feild: