Bonnie Blue Flag by Harry B. Macarthy


Lyrics: Harry B. Macarthy
This song was written in Mississippi, by an Englishman, inspired by the flag of South Carolina, and set to an Irish melody. Harry B. Macarthy was born in England in 1834 and came to the states in 1849. He was in Jackson, MS in 1861 when he wrote this song to the the tune of The Irish Jaunting Car, a traditional Irish melody. The Bonnie Blue Flag that he wrote about is a blue flag with a single white star, which was adopted as the flag of South Carolina, the first state to secede from the union. The song tells of the birth and struggle of the Confederacy and became the semi-official anthem of the South.


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

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 brethren, 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.

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

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