Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Popular Songs and Ballads of the Civil War: Southern: The Bonnie Blue Flag

By Harry Macarthy (1834–1888)

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 the bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,

Like friends and like brothers, 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.

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 the flag, the bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

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.

And here’s to brave Virginia! the Old Dominion State

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.

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.

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 the bonnie Blue Flag

That bears a single star.

First sung at the Varieties Theatre, New Orleans, 1861.