Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Popular Songs and Ballads of the Civil War: Southern: Rebels
By AnonymousR
The name our fathers bore
When battling in the cause of Right,
Against the tyrant in his might,
In the dark days of yore.
Our father, Washington,
Was the arch-rebel in the fight,
And gave the name to us—a right
Of father unto son.
Our mother, Liberty,
Received the title with her fame,
In days of grief, of fear, and shame,
When at her breast were we.
A baptism of blood!
The war—ay, and the din of strife—
The fearful contest, life for life—
The mingled crimson flood.
In struggles it was given;
We bore it then when tyrants raved,
And through their curses ’twas engraved
On the doomsday-book of heaven.
For peace rules o’er the land
Until they speak of craven woe,
Until our rights receive a blow
From foe’s or brother’s hand.
For although life is dear,
Yet, freemen born and freemen bred,
We’d rather live as freemen dead,
Than live in slavish fear.
We glory in the name;
For bending under unjust laws,
And swearing faith to an unjust cause,
We count a greater shame.
Atlanta Confederacy.