Staff report

Below are the lyrics* to “I Wish I Was in Dixie’s Land” – generally known today as just “Dixie”.

According to tradition, Ohio-born minstrel show composer Daniel Decatur Emmett wrote “Dixie” around 1859. Bryant’s (blackface) Minstrels, of which Emmett was a member, premiered it in New York City on April 4, 1859. Some say the song is a story about a homesick southerner and former slave who misses the plantation of his birth. Note, this song was written before the Civil War but critics believe it was written to sway growing abolitionist views and convince Americans that slavery was overall a positive institution.

Traditional lyrics:

I wish I was in the land of cotton,

Old times there are not forgotten;

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

In Dixie’s Land where I was born in,

Early on one frosty mornin,

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

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray!  Hooray!

In Dixie’s 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,”

Willium was a gay deceiver;

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

And when he put his arm around ‘er,

He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder,

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

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray!  Hooray!

In Dixie’s 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.

His face was sharp as a butcher’s cleaver

But that did not seem to grieve ‘er

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

Ole Missus acted the foolish part

She died for a man that broke her heart

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

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray!  Hooray!

In Dixie’s 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.

Now here’s to the health to the next ole Missus

An’ all the gals that want to kiss us;

Look away!  Look away!  Look away!  Dixie Land

And if you want to drive away sorrow

Come and hear our song tomorrow

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

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray!  Hooray!

In Dixie’s 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.

Dar’s buckwheat cakes an Injun batter,

Makes your fat a little fatter;

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

Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,

To Dixie’s Land I’m bound to travel.

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

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray!  Hooray!

In Dixie’s 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.

*There are numerous variations and alternative verses.

Courtesy of http://civilwarheritagetrails.org/civil-war-music/dixie-land.html

Different lyrics were written to Dixie’s tune during the Civl War, including these by Albert Pike:

Southrons, hear your country call you!
Up, lest worse than death befall you!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Lo! all the beacon fires are lighted
Let all hearts be now united!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
 

Chorus:
Advance the flag of Dixie!
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie’s Land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
|: To arms! To arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie! 😐

2. Hear the Northern thunders mutter!
Northern flags in South winds flutter!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Send them back your fierce defiance!
Stamp upon the cursed alliance!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

3. Fear no danger! Shun no labor!
Lift up rifle, pike, and sabre!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Shoulder pressing close to shoulder,
Let the odds make each heart bolder!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

4. How the South’s great heart rejoices
At your cannon’s ringing voices!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
For faith betrayed and pledges broken,
Wrongs inflicted, insults spoken,
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

5. Strong as lions, swift as eagles,
Back to their kennels hunt these beagles!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Cut the unequal bond asunder!
Let them hence each other plunder!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

6. Swear upon your country’s altar
Never to submit or falter!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Till the spoilers are defeated,
Till the Lord’s work is completed,
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

7. Halt not till our Federation
Secures among earth’s powers its station!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Then at peace, and crowned with glory,
Hear your children tell the story!
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

8. If the loved ones weep in sadness,
Victory soon shall bring them gladness.
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Exultant pride soon banish sorrow;
Smiles chase tears away tomorrow.
To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Chorus:

Courtesy of www.musicanet.org/robokopp/usa/oiwishiw.htm