The Bonnie Blue and the Bonnie White Flags
All Civil War buffs and most Movie fans are familiar with
the rousing tune and lyrics of The Bonnie Blue Flag. It chronicles the struggle of the south's determination
to maintain states rights and the pride they had for their country. It doesn't
matter if you agree with the political aspect or if you disagree. The song is rousing in tune and the lyrics
carry a major impact.
We are a band of brothers,
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 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 ,
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue flag
That bears a single star.
Ye men of valor gather round
The banner of the right,
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!
What is lesser known is The Bonnie White Flag written by
Colonel William S Hawkins while incarcerated at Camp Chase Prison in 1864. Originally titled
THE PRISONER'S
INVOCATION TO PEACE.
Though we're a band
of prisoners,
Let each be firm and true,
For noble souls and hearts of oak,
The foe can ne'er subdue.
We then will turn us homeward,
To those we love so dear;
For peace and happiness, my boys,
Oh, give a hearty cheer!
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
The sword into the scabbard,
The musket on the wall,
The cannon from its blazing throat,
No more shall hurl the ball ;
From wives and babes and sweethearts,
No longer will we roam, For ev'ry gallant soldier boy,
Shall seek his cherished home.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
Our battle banners furled away,
No more shall greet the eye,
Nor beat of angry drums be heard,
Nor bugle's hostile cry.
The blade no more be raised aloft,
In conflict fierce and wild,
The bomb shall roll across the sward,
The plaything of a child.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
No pale-faced captive then shall stand,
Behind his rusted bars,
Nor from the prison window bleak,
Look sadly to the stars ;
But out amid the woodland's green,
On bounding steed he'll be,
And proudly from his heart shall rise,
The anthem of the free.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
The plow into the furrow then,
The fields shall wave with grain,
And smiling children to their schools,
All gladly go again.
The church invites its grateful throng,
And man's rude striving cease,
While all across our noble land,
Shall glow the light of Peace.
Let each be firm and true,
For noble souls and hearts of oak,
The foe can ne'er subdue.
We then will turn us homeward,
To those we love so dear;
For peace and happiness, my boys,
Oh, give a hearty cheer!
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
The sword into the scabbard,
The musket on the wall,
The cannon from its blazing throat,
No more shall hurl the ball ;
From wives and babes and sweethearts,
No longer will we roam, For ev'ry gallant soldier boy,
Shall seek his cherished home.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
Our battle banners furled away,
No more shall greet the eye,
Nor beat of angry drums be heard,
Nor bugle's hostile cry.
The blade no more be raised aloft,
In conflict fierce and wild,
The bomb shall roll across the sward,
The plaything of a child.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
No pale-faced captive then shall stand,
Behind his rusted bars,
Nor from the prison window bleak,
Look sadly to the stars ;
But out amid the woodland's green,
On bounding steed he'll be,
And proudly from his heart shall rise,
The anthem of the free.
CHORUS.__ Hurrah! Hurrah! for peace
And home, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie White Flag,
That ends this cruel war!
The plow into the furrow then,
The fields shall wave with grain,
And smiling children to their schools,
All gladly go again.
The church invites its grateful throng,
And man's rude striving cease,
While all across our noble land,
Shall glow the light of Peace.
CHORUS.___Hurrah! Hurrah! For peace
and Home, Hurrah!
Hurrah for the
Bonnie White Flag
That ends this cruel
war.
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