The Portland daily press., 1899-05-06
IN DIXIE LAND.
,he History ofa Famous Song and the
Origin OF its Name.
New York SUM-

Chorus.
Zen wish 1 was in Dixie, hoo-rny
hooray
In Dixie Land, we'll took our stand,
To lib and die for Dixie.
Away, away, away down south'in Dixie,
Away, away, awayEdown south in Dixie.
Old Missus marry "will de weaber,"
William was gay deceaber.
Look away Sc.
But when he put his arm around Ter,
He look as fierce as forty FOUNDER.
Look away sc.
His face was sharp like butchers
cleaber,
But dat did not seem to greab her.
Lcok away &c.
VIII run away; Missus took decline, o,
Hor face was de color of bacon rine, y.
Loot. away &c.
While Missus libbed, she libbed in clover
When she died.she died all ober
Look away &c.
How could she act such foolish part, .,
And ry a man to break her heart, ..
Look away! sc.
Buckwheat cakes and stony batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter.
Look away sc.
Here's a health to the next old Missus,
An all de gals dat want to kiss Us.
Look away &c.
Now If you want to drive way sorrow,
Come an hear dis song tomorrow.
Look away sc.
Den hoe it down an scratch yer grabble.
10 Dixie Land I'm bound to trabble.
Look away &c.
The original song, "Dixie Land, " was
composed in 1859 by Daniel Decatur
Emmett as "walkaround" for Bryant s
MINISTRIES, then performing in Mechanics
Hall. New York. MIR. Emmett's expert
ences were varied ,ssand part of his life had
been spent with the circus. He had fire.
quently heard the performers make the
remark. II wish l was in Dixie as
soon as the northern climatsEhegan to be
too severe for the tent life which they fol-
lowed. Tais expire ssion suggested the
song "Dixie's Land"
1t made a hit at once with the play
going public of New York, and was
speedily spread to all parts of the Union
by numerous bands of wandering min
strels. who sang and danced to it. In
the fell of 1850 Mrs. John Wood sang 1t. In
New Orleans in John Brougham's bur
lcsnue OF ''Pocahontas, and ERE week
had passed the .whols city had taken it up
and the darky on the street corner ard
the banker III his Office were both hum
ming it contentedly. A New Orleans
publisher saw possibilities in the music,
and without the authority Of the COM
poser had tho air harmonized . and rear
ranged, issuing it with words embodying
the strong Southern feeling then existing
in the chief city in Louisiana.
Dixie" would, doubtless, have met
the fate of hundreds of other popular"
songs but for this. The original words
which are printed at the beginning OF
this article, rapidly gave way when the
war broke out TO the thrilling battle song
composed by Gen. Albert Pike Of Arkan-
sas. and they have since become almost
lest to view. Several sets Of words We're,
trom.time to time, during its popularity
set to the music, which, doubtless, Is
from the Scotch. The words of the war
song thrilled the South before and during
the war and today occupy permanent
place among the immortal songs of the
land. The first verse is typical of the en-
tire eight:
Southrons, hear your country call you,
Upi lest worse than death befall you!
10 arms. To arnsl To arms in Dixie!
Loi all the beacon fires are lighted,
Let all hearts be now united.
To arms To arms 10 arms in Dixie!
Chorus: Advance the flag of Dixie!
Hurrah Hurrahl
The word Dixie was brought into
national prominence and usage by these
songs. and, no doubt, perpetuated by the
war song the air of which is to-day dsar to
every 5 outherner. Previous to their adj
vent the word had been used to Indicate
the Southland only by few, and in no
sense was the term familiar, or its usage
general There can be no denying shls
statement; but the general impression
concerning the origin of the word
Dixie existing outside of the South
and in many parts of it is incorrect.
Naturally the popularity Of the word
created interest concerning It's origin.
The fact that the term was used to indi.
cate the States south of the Mason-Dixon
line has led to the general acceptance of
the statement publicly made some years
ago that "Dixie" isprang from Dixon"
The arguments was based mainly on the
alleged similarity of the two words, Dixie
and Dixon, and pointed out that the ex-
preston "Dixie Land gradually grew
out of "Dixon's land" term which. by
the way, was never in use. AS result,
the real root OF the word has never before
been known.
1t is often difficult to trace such word
back to its first usage and firmly establish
its origin; but the arguments in the pres
.,4 ;,,etapoa bOxvevar p,.A both roneln 81 ca