White supremacists and counter protesters clash in Charlottesville

[Minimalist]

This song reflects some of the attitudes of the confederacy c June 1861, the last historical event mentioned was the secession of Tennessee which happened on June 8.  Note that there is no mention of First Manassas which occurred on July 21, 1861 and would certainly have merited a verse or two had it happened when this version was written.  These were performance pieces of course as there was no recording at the time.  The battle cry is "southern rights" which could mean whatever one wanted it to mean, I suppose.  But they don't talk about slavery or blacks at all.






On the other side of the Mason-Dixon line the Northerners were singing this little ditty which can be dated to sometime between May, 1861 and May, 1863 by its reference to the confederate Stars and Bars flag which was in use at that time.  Judging by the trumpeting of "10,000 volunteers" it is probably closer to the beginning of that period than the end as the Union had gotten its ass kicked several times prior to May, 1863 and the enthusiasm for the war was definitely on a downward spiral.

Note that even here, the northerners do not talk of slavery or blacks but merely crushing the rebellion and preserving the union.







The first tune is a lot catchier.  The north was definitely behind in the musical department.