Read this interesting set of information from the Texas Brigade about the tune.
Bonnie Blue Flag (Union Version) We're fighting for our Union, We're fighting for our trust, We're fighting for that happy land, Where sleeps our Father's dust . It cannot be dissevered, Though it cost us bloody wars, We never can give up the land, Where floats the Stripes and Stars Chorus: Hurrah, hurrah! For equal rights, hurrah Hurrah for the brave old flag, That bears the Stripes and Stars We treated you as brothers, Until you drew the sword, With impious hands at Sumter, You cut the silver cord, So now you hear our bugles, We come the sons of Mars, We rally round the brave old flag, That bears the stripes and Stars, (Chorus) We do not want your cotton, We care not for your slaves, But rather than divide this land, We'll fill your Southern graves, With Lincoln for our Chieftain, We'll wear our country's scars, We rally round that brave old flag, That bears the Stripes and Stars (Chorus) We deem our cause most holy, We know we're in the right, And twenty million of freemen stand, Ready for the fight, Our bride is fair Columbia, No stain her beauty mars, O'er-her we'll raise that brave old flag, That bears the Stripes and Stars, (Chorus) And when this war is over, We'll each resume our home, And treat you still as brothers, Wherever you may roam, We'll pledge the hand of friendship, And think no more of wars, But dwell in peace beneath the flag, That bears the Stripes and Stars. (Chorus) THE BONNY BLUE FLAG (Harry McCarthy) We are a band of brothers, 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!" cho: 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 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. 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. 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 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!
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