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The "Bonnie Blue Flag" Marching Song

       The song "The Bonnie Blue Flag" was a 1861 marching song written by Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from an old drinking song, "The Irish Jaunting Car." The song's title refers to the unofficial first Flag of the Confederacy, the "Bonnie Blue Flag."  Initially, there were only two verses to the song. However, over time as the war grew, so did the song. While many southerners regarded "Dixie" as their national anthem, they regarded "The Bonnie Blue Flag" as their marching song.
       It is intetresting to note that its composer, Harry McCarthy, abandoned the Confederate cause and left for Philadelphia late in the war. Also, the song records the order of the first five states to secede in the wrong order. The song names the order to be South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. Actually, Mississipi was second (January 9, 1861), then Florida (January 10, 1861), followed by Alabama (January 11, 1861), and then Georgia (January 19, 1861).

The Bonnie Blue Flag
by Harry McCarty

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 the single star

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights 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 bretheren, kind we were 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] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for 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 on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star

Ye men of valor gather round the Banner of the Right,
Texas and Louisiana, join us in the fight
Davis, our loved President, and Stephens, statemen rare
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for 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

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star

Then cheer boys, raise the joyous shout
For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out
And let another rousing cheer for Tenneessee be given
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for 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 the single star

[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
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