God Save the South

Words by Earnest Halphin
Music by Chas. W. A. Ellerbrock

The first song published in the Confederate States of America, specifically in New Orleans in 1861; it was written as a response to “The Battle Hymn of The Republic.” Some consider it the de facto national anthem of the Confederacy.

The sheet music:

God-Save-The-South – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

God_Save_The_South – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. God save the South
    God save the South
    Her altars and firesides
    God save the South
    Now that the war is nigh
    Now that we arm to die
    Chaunting our battle cry
    Freedom or Death
    Chaunting our battle cry
    Freedom or Death

Chorus
Now that the war is nigh
Now that we arm to die
Chaunting our battle cry
Freedom or Death
Chaunting our battle cry
Freedom or Death

  1. God be our shield
    At home or afield
    Stretch thine arm over us
    Strengthen and save
    What tho’ they’re three to one
    Forward each sire and son
    Strike till the war is won
    Strike to the grave
    Strike till the war is won
    Strike to the grave
  2. God made the right
    Stronger than might
    Millions would trample us
    Down in their pride
    Lay Thou their legions low
    Roll back the ruthless foe
    Let the proud spoiler know
    God’s on our side
    Let the proud spoiler know
    God’s on our side
  3. Hark honor’s call
    Summoning all
    Summoning all of us
    Unto the strife
    Sons of the South awake
    Strike till the brand shall break
    Strike for dear Honor’s sake
    Freedom and Life
    Strike for dear Honor’s sake
    Freedom and Life
  4. Rebels before
    Our father’s of yore
    Rebel’s the righteous name
    Washington bore
    Why, then be our’s the same
    The name that he snatch’d from shame
    Making it first in fame
    Foremost in war
    Making it first in fame
    Foremost in war
  5. War to the hilt
    Their’s be the guilt
    Who fetter the free man
    To ransom the slave
    Up then, and undismay’d
    Sheathe not the battle blade
    Till the last foe is laid
    Low in the grave
    Till the last foe is laid
    Low in the grave
  6. God save the South
    God save the South
    Dry the dim eyes that now
    Follow our path
    Still let the light feet rove
    Safe through the orange grove
    Still keep the land we love
    Safe from Thy wrath
    Still keep the land we love
    Safe from Thy wrath
  7. God save the South
    God save the South
    Her altars and firesides
    God save the South
    For the great war is nigh
    And we will win or die
    Chaunting our battle cry
    Freedom or Death
    Chaunting our battle cry
    Freedom or Death

Sung here by Vancha March: