The unofficial anthem of the Confederate States of America originated in black-face shows of the 1850s. The song's creation has been credited to Daniel Decatur Emmet (although that "fact" has been questioned on numerous occasions). Emmet, a black-face performer, upon learning of its use in the south remarked, "If I had known to what use they [Southerners] were going to put my song, I will be damned if I'd have written it."
The song itself was a smash hit in the south. It's tune and lyrics have been called out as glorifying the old south and slavery. There are some elements who wish to have it banned as racist, while others wish to preserve it as a legitimate piece of southern culture.
Abraham Lincoln was a fan of the song and refused to give it the power it would claim as an official song of the Confederacy stating, "I have always thought that 'Dixie' was one of the best tunes I ever heard. I had heard our adversaries had attempted to appropriate it. I insisted yesterday that we had fairly captured it."
On Saturday, April 8, 1865, Lincoln completed a fifteen day stay in captured Richmond and left on the River Queen for Washington D.C. The Military band played a few numbers and then Lincoln requested Dixie stating, "That tune is now federal property". The musicians were surprised to learn that Lincoln meant for the song to be a good-will song of the reunited states.
- Oh, 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 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 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
Ole Missus marry "Will the weaver"
Willum was a gay deceiver
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
But when he put his arm around 'er,
He smiled fierce as a forty pounder,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
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
And died for a man that broke her heart
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
Now here's a health to the next ole Missus
An' 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 and hear this song tomorrow
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
There's buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
Makes you fat or 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
-Professor Walter
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