Songs of the Civil War, Part 2: Southern Songs

Without contest the most famous song on this list, Dixie is practically synonymous with the Confederacy at this point. It is one of the most famous American folk songs, and is attached to dozens of lyrical sets. Reportedly, Abe Lincoln himself loved the song, and he had it played at political rallies.

listen to the 2nd South Carolina String Band's rendition here.

The Bonnie Blue Flag, or We Are a Band of Brothers, was a Confederate march written by Harry McCarthy in 1861. It refers to the Bonnie Blue flag, obviously, the unofficial first flag of the Confederacy. Taking its tune from an old Irish folk song, it mainly chronicles the timeline of states seceding... but it's not very accurate in that regard. For example, it states Alabama seceded before Mississippi, which is the opposite of reality.

Listen to Robert Shaw's rendition here.

Though fairly popular on both sides of the war, All Quiet Along the Potomac is usually considered a southern song. It tells the story of a picket on watch of the Potomac River, shot dead while thinking of his family. The title was inspired by reports of "all is quiet tonight," from a telegram sent by George B. McClellan after the First Bull Run. The poem was written by Ethel Lynn Beers.

Listen to Bobby Horton's rendition here.

Despite what I used to think, Dixie was not the anthem of the Confederate States. That title goes to God Save the South that, while never officially recognized, was understood to be the anthem. Written by George Miles in 1861, it was used as a rallying cry for Confederate soldiers, assuring them God would defend them. Later, it was included in a hymnal distributed to every Confederate soldier.

Listen to one rendition of unknown authorship here.

Sittin' by the roadside on a summer's day... Goober Peas recounts southern tales of being cut off from farmland and supply lines, and having nothing more than goober peas (boiled peanuts) to eat. The song probably originated in the late 1850's, but the first sheet music was published in 1866, which listed the composer to be P. Nutt. The song is still popular in the south to this day.

Listen to Tennessee Ernie Ford's rendition here.

Maryland, my Maryland, set to the tune of Christmas song 'O Tannenbaum,' was written by one James Randall in order to encourage Maryland's secession from the United States. After being published, it quickly became very popular, but Maryland never did secede. Despite, or perhaps thanks to, calling northerners "tyrants" and "despots," it was Maryland's state song between 1939 and 2021.

Listen to the 97th Regimental String Band's rendition here.

Finishing off this list, we have Oh, I'm a Good Ol' Rebel. Though written during the war, it was more popularly sung afterwards by resentful Confederate veterans who wished to keep on fighting, detailing their hatred for America as a whole (strikingly similar to some people of today). It is considered by many to be the original Anti-American piece.

Listen to Southland's rendition here.