The Bonnie Blue Flag

"The Bonnie Blue Flag", also known as "We Are a Band of Brothers", is an 1861 marching song associated with the Confederate States of America. The words were written by Ulster-born entertainer Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from the song "The Irish Jaunting Car". The song's title refers to the unofficial first Flag of the Confederacy, the "Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star" of the chorus.

"The Bonnie Blue Flag" holds special significance to the Texas brigade. The song was premiered by lyricist Harry McCarthy during a concert in Jackson, Mississippi, in the spring of 1861 and performed again in September of that same year at the New Orleans Academy of Music for the First Texas Volunteer Infantry regiment mustering in celebration.cn|date=September 2008

The New Orleans music publishing house of A.E. Blackmar issued six editions of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" between 1861 and 1864 along with three additional arrangements. The tune was so popular that Union General Benjamin Butler was said to have arrested and fined Blackmar for daring to publish it.cn|date=September 2008

General Longstreet writes in his memoirs: "My mind was relieved by information that my resignation was accepted, to take effect on the 1st of June 1861. In our travel next day we crossed the line into the State of Texas. From the gloomy forebodings of old friends, it seemed at El Paso that we had entered into a different world. All was enthusiasm and excitement, and songs of "Dixie and the South" were borne upon the balmy air. But the Texas girl did not ascend to a state of incandescent charm until the sound of the first notes of " The Bonny Blue Flag" reached her ear. Then her feet rose in gleeful springs, her limbs danced, her hands patted, her eyes glowed, her lips moved, though she did not care to speak, or listen to any one. She seemed lifted in the air, thrilled and afloat, holding to the " Single Star" in joyful hope of Southern rights."cn|date=September 2008

Lyrics revision

The first verse of the song goes::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.

The second line is sometimes given as "fighting for our liberty with treasure, blood, and toil". A copy of the 1861 song sheet posted on a website by University of San Diego professor Steve Schoenherr illustrates the "property" version. [ [http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/snd/bonnieblueflag.html Bonnie Blue Flag ] ]

According to Schoenherr, the song sheet was first published in 1861 by A. E. Blackmar and Brother in New Orleans. When Major General Benjamin Butler captured New Orleans, he allegedly arrested Blackmar, fined Blackmar $500, destroyed all copies of the music, and ordered that anyone caught whistling or singing "The Bonnie Blue Flag" would be fined $25 (about $482 in 2005). [http://eh.net/hmit/ppowerusd/] Eleven other editions of the song were published with different lyrics.

Complete lyrics of the common version

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. 2. As long as the Union was faithful to her trust Like friends and like 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.

Chorus 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.

Chorus 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 rare Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Chorus

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 prepare To hoist high the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.

Chorus [ [http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/usa/weareaba.htm We are a band of brothers / Bonnie Blue Flag ] ]

6. Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a 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.

Chorus

7. 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 [ [http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/eduguide/chp_2/patriot.htm Patriotic - the Bonnie Blue Flag ] ]

Media

References

External links

* [http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/mp3s/1000/1440/cusb-cyl1440d.mp3 "The Bonnie Blue Flag"] , Polk Miller and his Old South Quartet (Edison Blue Amberol 2175, 1913)—" [http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/index.php Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project] ".
* [http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a81/kos102/2006/01%20August/Videos/?action=view&current=G-G.flv A performance of the song] in the 2003 film "Gods and Generals", in a scene set in a Confederate camp which includes cameo appearances by Ted Turner and U.S. Senators George Allen (R-Va) and Robert Byrd (D-WV).
* [http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/usa/weareaba.htm Lyrics and melody to the song] , including a refutation of the alternate lyrics
* [http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/snd/bonnieblueflag.html Photos of the cover and song sheet dated from 1861] , as well as historical trivia regarding the song
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21566/21566-h/images/bonnie.pdf Sheet music] for "The Bonnie Blue Flag", from Project Gutenberg
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21566/21566-h/music/bonnie.midi MIDI] for "The Bonnie Blue Flag", from Project Gutenberg
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8MBIrqqzE&feature=related Long Version] of "The Bonnie Blue Flag", from YouTube