The Bonnie Blue Flag

The Bonnie Blue Flag, conosciuta anche come We are a band of brothers, fu un inno non ufficiale degli Stati Confederati d'America molto popolare tra i soldati e i cittadini fin dalla sua prima esecuzione, avvenuta nella primavera del 1861 nel Mississippi. Il compositore, Harry McCarthy, usa come base la stessa della canzone Irish volunteers, cambiando però le parole.

The Bonnie Blue Flag
Immagine di copertina a colori dalla Biblioteca del Congresso
Compositore	Harry McCarthy
Epoca di composizione	1861
Ascolto
Versione strumentale (info file)

Testo

1.

We're a band of brothers, native of the soil

Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil.

When first our rights were threatened, and the cry rose near and far

We raised up high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Southern rights, hurrah!

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

2.

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust

Like friends and like 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.

3.

First gallant South Carolina came nobly to the stand

Then came Alabama and took her by the hand

Quickly, followed Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida

All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

4.

Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right

Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight

Davis, for a President, and Stephens statesmen rare

Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

5.

Now here's to brave Virginia, the Old Dominion State,

With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate,

And spurred by her example, now other states prepare

To hoist high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

(In alternativa:

Now here's to Virginia, the Old Dominion State,

Who with the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate.

Impelled by her example, let other states prepare

To hoist high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.)

6.

Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a joyous shout

For North Carolina and Arkansas now have both gone out,

And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given,

For the single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.

7.

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.

Collegamenti esterni

• (EN) The Bonnie Blue Flag, su Enciclopedia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
• (EN) The Bonnie Blue Flag, su MusicBrainz, MetaBrainz Foundation.