The Bonnie Blue Flag was one of the unofficial flags of the
Confederacy. It was composed of a 5-pointed white star on a blue background. In 1861, Harry McCarthy wrote the lyrics to the song, based on the tune of the old Irish song "
The Irish Jaunting Car". Along with
Dixie, this song became sort of an unofficial anthem of the
Confederacy. Below are the lyrics.
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 (after every verse):
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!
The Bonnie Blue Flag was an emotionally stirring, yet slightly melancholy song. Below are two incidents in which the tune of the song inspired Confederate troops to do great things.