In this task, you will look at three songs that were popular before Reconstruction. These songs took on some special meaning during Reconstruction for the three groups you learned about in the previous task.
In 1971, an American songwriter named Mickey Newbury created a medley of three songs called “American Trilogy.” The medley blends parts of three nineteenth-century songs: “Dixie,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “All My Trials.”
The song “Dixie” was the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy during the Civil War. “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was a song that the Union Army marched to. “All My Trials” was a lullaby that was closely associated with African American spirituals.
The music and literature of an era often help us understand the experiences of people during that time. You will read the lyrics of all three songs. You can also listen to them and read some background information on each song. Then you will analyze why each song might have become meaningful to the group that adopted it during Reconstruction.
Part A
Read the lyrics of the song “Dixie.”
Dixie
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.
Then I wish I was in Dixie, Hurray! Hurray!
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,
You can also listen to the song.
Now explain in a few sentences how this song might express the feelings and emotions of white Southerners during Reconstruction.