Dixie (song)

Listen: Dixie (3:55)

Dixie , also I Wish I Was in Dixie or Dixie's Land is an American folk song . The piece with a catchy melody was from where Ohio originating Daniel Decatur Emmett in New York City as a "walkaround" for the popular blackface Minstrelsys written and published. 1859 The song was very popular with the Confederate Army in the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865 - the southern states of the USA are referred to as Dixieland .

Emergence

Daniel Decatur Emmet, who lived from 1815 to 1904, sold the song to his publisher for $ 300. The original text is in exaggerated African American English and describes the homesickness of a freed slave who wants to return to his plantation in the south. Emmett himself stated several times that he had taken over Dixie from an unnamed black man, and it was attributed to the black Snowden Family Band from Mount Vernon, Ohio , among others . In 1976, the black was part of American Legion added on the grave of Ben and Lew Snowden a commemorative plaque with "They Taught 'Dixie' to Dan Emmett" (They brought Dan Emmett Dixie at) claiming their authorship.

Use and variants

In 1861, Dixie was played in the inauguration of Southern President Jefferson Davis . Versions with changed texts appeared shortly afterwards. The song was first popular with the Confederates during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865 and was included in their unofficial anthem, but also in various versions in the northern states . It also became very popular in New Orleans because it was used in a play there. From there soldiers spread the song to the front. There he served with a changed text as a battle song (Dixie War Song) to strengthen the morale of the troops.

To this day, the piece symbolizes the old south of the United States, the Dixieland with its cultural and culinary riches, but also its problematic sides, especially slavery. Critics of this interpretation point out that Dixie was one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite songs , who had it played, for example, at election rallies or at Robert E. Lee's surrender .

The medley An American Trilogy arranged by Mickey Newbury consists of All My Trials and The Battle Hymn of the Republic as well as Dixie . An American Trilogy was recorded by Elvis Presley among others .

Original version

score

I wish I was in de land of cotton,

Old times they are not forgotten;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land where I was born in

Early on one frosty mornin,

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(Chorus)

Oh I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!

In Dixie Land, I'll take my stand

To live and die in Dixie,

Away, Away, Away down south in Dixie

Away, Away, Away down south in Dixie.

Old Missus marry Will, the weaver,

William was a gay deceiver;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But when he put his arm around'er,

He smiled as fierce as a forty-pound'er,

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(Chorus)

His face was sharp as a butchers cleaver,

But that did not seem to grieve her;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Old Missus acted de foolish part,

And died for a man that broke her heart.

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(Chorus)

Now here's a health to the next old Missus,

And all the gals that want to kiss us;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But if you want to drive 'way sorrow,

Come an hear this song to-morrow.

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(Chorus)

Dars buckwheat cakes an 'ingen batter,

Makes you fat or a little fatter;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble,

To Dixie land I'm bound to travel.

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

swell

^ Howard L. Sacks, Judith Rose Sacks: Way up North in Dixie. A Black Family's Claim to the Confederate Anthem. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC et al. 1993, ISBN 1-56098-258-6 .
↑ Quoted in: Howard L. Sacks, Judith Rose Sacks: Way up North in Dixie. A Black Family's Claim to the Confederate Anthem. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC et al. 1993, ISBN 1-56098-258-6 , p. 3.

[1] Howard L. Sacks, Judith Rose Sacks: Way up North in Dixie. A Black Family's Claim to the Confederate Anthem. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC et al. 1993, ISBN 1-56098-258-6 .

[2] Quoted in: Howard L. Sacks, Judith Rose Sacks: Way up North in Dixie. A Black Family's Claim to the Confederate Anthem. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC et al. 1993, ISBN 1-56098-258-6 , p. 3.