God Save the South

A rare music cover illustration, published by the composer, C. T. De Cœniél, in Richmond, Virginia.

**National anthem of the Confederate States of America (*de facto*)**

### Music

Charles W. A. Ellerbrock (most used)

"**God Save the South**" is an American patriotic song that is still popular among some folks. It was one of the official national anthems of the Confederate States of America (CSA). The song, composed by Charles Ellerbrock, is based on a poem written by George Henry Miles (as Earnest Halphin) in 1861. Different melodies have also been used for this song, including the tune of "God Save the King".

Although considered to be the national anthem of the Confederate States, "Dixie" was just as popular by those serving in the Confederacy.

## History

The song was written because the author wanted to tell soldiers in the civil war that God would be with them. The other reason it was written because they were at war with the North; the author wanted this song to rival against the North's "Battle Hymn of the Republic", as well as to promote southern nationalism. It was published in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it was the first song published in the CSA since the Ordinance of Secession.

## Lyrics

God save the South, God save the South,

Her altars and firesides, God save the South!

Now that the war is nigh, now that we arm to die,

Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"

Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"

God be our shield, at home or afield,

Stretch Thine arm over us, strengthen and save.

What tho' they're three to one, forward each sire and son,

Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!

Strike till the war is won, strike to the grave!

God made the right stronger than might,

Millions would trample us down in their pride.

Lay Thou their legions low, roll back the ruthless foe,

Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.

Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side.

Hark honor's call, summoning all.

Summoning all of us unto the strife.

Sons of the South, awake! Strike till the brand shall break,

Strike for dear Honor's sake, Freedom and Life!

Strike for dear Honor's sake, Freedom and Life!

Rebels before, our fathers of yore.

Rebel's the righteous name Washington bore.

Why, then, be ours the same, the name that he snatched from shame,

Making it first in fame, foremost in war.

Making it first in fame, foremost in war.

War to the hilt, theirs be the guilt,

Who fetter the free man to ransom the slave.

Up then, and undismay'd, sheathe not the battle blade,

Till the last foe is laid low in the grave!

Till the last foe is laid low in the grave!

God save the South, God save the South,

Dry the dim eyes that now follow our path.

Still let the light feet rove safe through the orange grove,

Still keep the land we love safe from Thy wrath.

Still keep the land we love safe from Thy wrath.

God save the South, God save the South,

Her altars and firesides, God save the South!

For the great war is nigh, and we will win or die,

Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"

Chanting our battle cry, "Freedom or death!"

## Trivia

* The composer Charles Ellerbrock arranged "Maryland, My Maryland".

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Civil War Music: God Save the South
2. ↑ God save the south! *Library of Congress*.
3. ↑ Our national Confederate anthem. *Library of Congress*.
4. ↑ Harwell, Richard (1950). *Confederate Music*. University of North Carolina Press. p. 63.
5. ↑ Hilton, Don (2012). *Murders, Mysteries and History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania 1800–1956*. AuthorHouse. p. 53. ISBN 978-1477266151.
6. ↑ Guezlo, Allen (2012). *Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction*. Oxford University Press. p. 411. ISBN 978-0199939367.
7. ↑ Civil War Music: God Save the South. *American Battlefield Trust*.
8. ↑ God Save the South by George Henry Miles. *American Literature*.