In the spring of 1861, Harry McCarthy, a variety entertainer and
comedian, wrote a stirring marching song, "The Bonnie Blue Flag", also
known as "We Are a Band of Brothers". The lyrics recounted why the
South found it necessary to break from the Union and described each
state joining the Confederacy. The song's title refers to the
unofficial first Flag of the Confederacy, the "Bonnie Blue Flag, the
symbol of secession from the Union, that bears the "single star" of
the chorus.
The song was extremely popular in the South, rivaling "Dixie" as the
unofficial Confederate anthem. As the secession crisis intensified,
the Bonnie Blue Flag gradually became the unofficial banner of
independence and self-government for the Southern states. It waved
prominently at political rallies and parades and flew in Montgomery,
Alabama while the first Confederate Congress was in session.
The designer of the blue flag with the single white star in the center
is unknown, but the banner is believed to have been modeled after the
flag of South Carolina and the Lone Star flag of Texas. The single
star represented secession, the removal of a star from the Stars and
Stripes, and independence in that it stood alone on a field of blue.
Sometimes an additional star would be added to the flag for each
seceding state. In January 1861, the Bonnie Blue Flag was incorporated
as a canton in the flag of the new Republic of Mississippi. The
Committee on Flag and Seal of the Confederacy's Provisional Congress
passed over the Bonnie Blue Flag and other designs to select instead
a flag based on the old Stars and Stripes, a flag that would become
famous as the "Stars and Bars".
The Union authorities in occupied New Orleans outlawed playing the
music or even singing the song. Eleven editions of "The Bonnie Blue
Flag" had been printed by the end of the war, each with slightly
different lyrics.
[Verse 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.
[Verse 2]
As long as the Union was faithful to her trust
Like friends and brethren, 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.
[Repeat Chorus]
[Verse 3]
First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand
Then came Alabama and took her by the hand
Next, quickly Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
[Repeat Chorus]
[Verse 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.
Repeat Chorus
[Verse 5]
Now here's to brave Virginia, the old Dominion State,
With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate,
And spurred by her example, now other states prepar'
To hoist high the bonny blue flag that bears a single star.
[Repeat Chorus] |
|---|
Whenever modern historical musicians declare an absolute pedigree for
a particular tune, they are probably wrong. Any time a tune becomes
popular, new lyrics and consequently, a new name, are attached.
Proceed with caution!
 |
|---|
| "Days' End" |
|---|
|
Return To The Host URL Of This Link
