The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-19
New Words That Will Immortalize
 Dixie.


 As the time is near for our convention at Tuscaloosa, we would like to bring forcibly before each Chapter of our State a subject which was first introduced in these columns by our President. Mrs. A. L. Dowdeil on January 4th, 1903. We refer to the important work of adopting new words for our inspiring Southern song Dixie, and we beg that every Chapter will consider this very important matter and instruct their delegates &C., cordingly.
 The question has already received strong indorsement from the Southern press. and we quote the following from The Atlanta News March 12th, 1s0s--"We cannot pos sibly preserve, and perpetuate our war song in the small words of Emmett" and again up comrades of the Southern press and help us refashion and immor- talize our incomparable song of the South.'
 And the Editor of The Confederate Veteran in a recent letter says, Regard ing the change in the words of this song (Dixie), it would seem very praise- worth thing to do."
 From The Florence Times, March 27th, we quote: "As every one is impressed who reads the old words. the language and sentiment are entirely at variance with the music. which sets every South ern heart on fire with patriotism and loyalty The old words which the Flor ence Chapter has repudiated. have never found a lodgment in the Southern heart. and it is an indisputable fact that about 90 per cent of our people do not even know these words, Through the Florence Chapter the question has already gotten into the press and the movement has mot with unquestioned approval"
 In October, 1902, the Florence Chapter took official action upon this subject, and decided to use temporarily the words recommended by our President in the U. D. c. columns of The Advertiser, January 4th. And as the movement originated among the Daughters, we beg it may receive the full endorsement at Division Work.
 Could we not also have a committee appointed to confer with the Confederated Southern Memorial Association and the Veterans at their reunion in New Or leans, and ask them to appoint commit tees to act with US in choosing suita- ble version to be adopted by the entire South?
 Cannot an invitation be extended to all Southern writhers to compete for this honor?
 To quote again from The Florence Times: "A rare opportunity is offered Southern writer to immortalize himself, words entirely suitable to the inspiring music would live forever"
 Already several beautiful versions have been written for the song, notably that of General Albert Pike. which The Atlanta News criticises as possibly objectionable as too fierce and eager a battle hymn for a reunited country" But the decision is work which must be left to the com mittees; only we would urge them to in- sist that the chorus of Dixie, which is faultless, be preserved:
 Then wish I was in Dixie
 Hurrah! ITurrah!
 In Dixie's Land we'll take our stand.
 To live and die in Dixie.
 Away, away, away down South in Dixie"
 Aside from the chorus. which every one knows and loves, the original words are not only seriously objectionable. but they have no place in the hearts of our people.
 To quote from The Florence Herald, April 8: Probably not one person In five hundred. in the South. could repeat the words of Dixie as much as we love the air, and the reason for this can be readily seen by reading the words, which are not only very inappropriate but highly objectionable"
 To give a marked illustration of this. few years ago at Chautauqua, N. Y., where about ten thousand people were assembled, two-thirds of whom were estimated to be southerners. the director of the children's choir wished to teach the children Dixie. He had the music everybody knows the music-and he wanted the words. To procure them he canvassed the assembly grounds and not one of that large crowd of representative Southern people knew the words or tneir dearlv loved Southern song. At last the director succeeded in getting the words from A Northern school teacher, Mrs. Charlotte Mann of New York
 Surely nothing could more conctusveiy proye that the old words have no lodg- ment in the Southern mind.
 "A Daughter"