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"The Bonnie Blue Flag", also known as "We Are a Band of Brothers", is an 1861
marching song A march, as a musical genre, is a piece of music with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching to and most frequently performed by a military band. In mood, marches range from the moving death march in Wagner's ...
associated with the
Confederate States of America The Confederate States of America (CSA), commonly referred to as the Confederate States or the Confederacy was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the Southern United States that existed from February 8, 1861, to May 9, 1865. The Confeder ...
. The words were written by the entertainer
Harry McCarthy Harry McCarthy (1834–1888), also known as Harry Macarthy, was a songwriter from Ireland, where he became a variety entertainer and comedian in the mid 19th century. Career In 1861 he wrote the song " The Bonnie Blue Flag," about the unoff ...
, with the melody taken from the song " The Irish Jaunting Car". The song's title refers to the unofficial first flag of the Confederacy, the Bonnie Blue Flag. The left flag on the sheet-music is the Bonnie Blue Flag. The song was premiered by lyricist Harry McCarthy during a concert in
Jackson, Mississippi Jackson, officially the City of Jackson, is the capital of and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The city is also one of two county seats of Hinds County, along with Raymond. The city had a population of 153,701 at t ...
, in the spring of 1861 and performed again in September of that same year at the New Orleans Academy of Music for the First Texas Volunteer Infantry regiment mustering in celebration. The
New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
music publishing house of A.E. Blackmar issued six editions of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" between 1861 and 1864 along with three additional arrangements. The "band of brothers" mentioned in the first line of the song recalls the well known St. Crispin's Day Speech in
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
's play ''Henry V'' (Act IV, scene ii).


Lyrical variations

The first verse of the song goes:
We are a band of brothers, and native to the soil, Fighting for our liberty with treasure, blood, and toil; And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far, Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a single star.
These lyrics appear in a version held by the
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The libra ...
. It was published by A. E. Blackmar and Brother in
New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
in 1861. The second line is sometimes given as "fighting for the property we gained by honest toil."
University of San Diego The University of San Diego (USD) is a private Roman Catholic research university in San Diego, California. Chartered in July 1949 as the independent San Diego College for Women and San Diego University (comprising the College for Men and Sch ...
professor Steve Schoenherr and the library of
Duke University Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist Jam ...
record the "property" version which also has a publication date of 1861. When Major General
Benjamin Butler Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American major general of the Union Army, politician, lawyer, and businessman from Massachusetts. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, Butler is ...
captured New Orleans, he allegedly arrested Blackmar, fined him $500, destroyed all copies of the music, and ordered that anyone caught whistling or singing "The Bonnie Blue Flag" would be fined $25 (roughly $500 in the 2010s). Eleven other editions of the song were published with different lyrics.
Annie Chambers Ketchum Annie Chambers Ketchum (religious name, Sister Amabilis; November 8, 1824 – January 27, 1904) was an American educator, lecturer, and writer. She was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and became a Capitular Tertiary of St. Dominic ...
, a Confederate widow who risked her liberty to publish new verses to be sung, published a new version of the song under the title
The Gathering Song
" The following verses were published in a eulogy by Gilberta S. Whittle in the 1904
Richmond Times Dispatch
':
I "Come, brothers, rally for the right! The bravest of the brave Sends forth his ringing battle-cray Beside the Atlantic wave. She leads the way in honor's path: Come, brothers, near and far, Come, rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star! Hurrah! hurrah! for Southern rights Hurrah! Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star! II We've borne the Yankee trickery, The Yankee gibe and sneer, Till Northern insolence and pride Know neither shame nor fear; But ready now with shot and steel Their brazen front to mar, We holst aloft the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star. III Now
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
marches to the front, And close beside her come Her sisters of the Mexique sea, With pealing trump and drum; Till answering back from hill and glen The rallying cry afar, A nation holsts the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star. IV By every stone in Charleston Bay, By each beleaguered town, We swear to rest not night nor day, But hunt the tyrants down; Till bathed in valor's holy blood The gazing world afar Shall greet with shouts the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star."


Complete lyrics

1. We're a band of brothers, native of the soil Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil. When first our rights were threatened, and the cry rose near and far :We raised up high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! Chorus: :Hurrah! Hurrah! : For Southern rights, hurrah! :Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! 2. As long as the Union was faithful to her trust Like friends and like brethren, kind were we, and just But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar :We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. Chorus 3. First gallant South Carolina came nobly to the stand Then came Alabama and took her by the hand Quickly, followed Mississippi,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
, and
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...
:All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. Chorus 4. Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
and fair Louisiana join us in the fight
Davis Davis may refer to: Places Antarctica * Mount Davis (Antarctica) * Davis Island (Palmer Archipelago) * Davis Valley, Queen Elizabeth Land Canada * Davis, Saskatchewan, an unincorporated community * Davis Strait, between Nunavut and Gre ...
, for a President, and
Stephens Stephens is a surname. It is a patronymic and is recorded in England from 1086. Notable people with the surname include: *Alexander H. Stephens (1812–1883), Vice President of the Confederate States of America *Alison Stephens (1970–2010), Brit ...
statesmen rare :Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. Chorus 5. Now here's to brave
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
, the Old Dominion State, With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate, And spurred by her example, now other states prepare :To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. (Alternately: Now here's to Virginia, the Old Dominion State, Who with the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate. Impelled by her example, let other states prepare :To hoist high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.) Chorus 6. Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a joyous shout For
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
and
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the O ...
now have both gone out, And let another rousing cheer for
Tennessee Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 36th-largest by ...
be given, :For the single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven. Chorus 7. Then here's to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave, Like patriots of old we'll fight, our heritage to save; And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer, :So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. Chorus


Historical inaccuracies

The song is a useful mnemonic for the list of states that seceded, although for reasons of meter the third verse re-arranges the order of secession. The actual dates on which the states seceded are as follows: #
South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...
(December 20, 1860) #
Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
(January 9, 1861) #
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...
(January 10, 1861) #
Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...
(January 11, 1861) #
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
(January 19, 1861) #
Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is bord ...
(January 26, 1861) #
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
(February 1, 1861) #
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
(April 17, 1861) #
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the O ...
(May 6, 1861) #
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
(May 20, 1861) #
Tennessee Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 36th-largest by ...
(June 8, 1861) Thus,
Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...
took
South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...
by the hand only figuratively but actually delayed her
secession Secession is the withdrawal of a group from a larger entity, especially a political entity, but also from any organization, union or military alliance. Some of the most famous and significant secessions have been: the former Soviet republics l ...
until the departure of
Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
and
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...
.


Union versions

As with many songs from the time of the American Civil War, this song had multiple versions for both the Union and Confederate sides. One Union version, written by J. L. Geddes, in 1863, a
British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...
-born colonel who immigrated to the U.S., was called "The Bonnie Flag With the Stripes and Stars". Singing of
Unionism Unionism may refer to: Trades *Community unionism, the ways trade unions work with community organizations *Craft unionism, a model of trade unionism in which workers are organised based on a particular craft or trade *Dual unionism, the developm ...
and equality, it went:
We're fighting for our Union, We're fighting for our trust, We're fighting for that happy land Where sleeps our father dust. It cannot be dissevered, Though it cost us bloody wars, :We never can give up the land :Where floats the stripes and stars. Chorus: :Hurrah, Hurrah, :For equal rights hurrah, :Hurrah for the good old flag :That bears the stripes and stars. We trusted you as brothers, Until you drew the sword, With impious hands at Sumter You cut the silver cord. So now you hear the bugles, We come the sons of
Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...
, :To rally round the brave old flag :That bears the stripes and stars. Chorus We do not want your
cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor pe ...
, We do not want your
slaves Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...
, But rather than divide the land, We'll fill your Southern graves. With
Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincol ...
for our chieftain, We wear our country's stars, :And rally round the brave old flag :That bears the stripes and stars. Chorus We deem our cause most holy, We know we're in the right, And twenty million freemen Stand ready for the fight. Our pride is fair Columbia, No stain her beauty mars, :On her we'll raise the brave old flag :That bears the stripes and stars. Chorus And when this war is over, We'll each resume our home, And treat you still as brothers, Where ever you may roam. We'll pledge the hand of friendship, And think no more of war, :But dwell in peace beneath the flag :That bears the stripes and stars. Chorus
Another version went:
We are a band of
Patriot A patriot is a person with the quality of patriotism. Patriot may also refer to: Political and military groups United States * Patriot (American Revolution), those who supported the cause of independence in the American Revolution * Patriot m ...
s who each leave home and friend, Our noble
Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these pr ...
and our Banner to defend, Our Capitol was threatened, and the cry rose near and far, To protect our Country's glorious Flag that glitters with many a star. Chorus :Hurrah, Hurrah, for the Union, boys Hurrah :Hurrah for our forefather's Flag, :that glitters with many a star. Much patience and forbearance, the North has always shown, Toward her Southern brethren, who had each way their own; But when we made our President—a man whom we desired, Their wrath was roused, they mounted guns, and on Fort Sumter fired. They forced the war upon us, for peaceful men are we, They steal our money, seize our forts, and then as cowards flee, False to their vows, and to the Flag, that once protected them, They sought the Union to dissolve, earth's noblest, brightest, gem. We're in the right, and will prevail, the Stars and Stripes must fly! The "Bonnie Blue Flag" will be hauled down and every traitor die, Freedom and Peace enjoyed by all, as ne'er was known before, Our spangled Banner wave on high, with stars just Thirty Four
Additionally, the Song of the Irish Volunteers, an anthem of the famous 69th New York regiment of the Irish Brigade, was sung to the same tune.
My Name is Tim McDonald, I'm a native of the Isle I was born among old Erin's Bogs when I was but a child My Father fought in '98 for liberty so dear; He fell upon old
Vinegar Hill Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains 5–8% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting simple sugars to eth ...
, like an Irish Volunteer! Then raise the Harp of Erin, boys, The flag we all revere! We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, Like Irish Volunteers! Then raise the Harp of Erin, boys, The flag we all revere! We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, Like Irish Volunteers! When I was driven from my home by an oppressor's hand I cut my sticks and greased my brogues and came o'er to this land I found a home and many friends, and some that I love dear; Be jabbers! I'll stick to them like bricks and an Irish Volunteer! Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer! To the land of our adoption and the Irish Volunteers! Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer! To the land of our adoption and the Irish Volunteers! Now when the traitors in the south commenced a warlike raid I quickly then laid down my hod, to the devil went my spade! To a recruiting office then I went, that happened to be near And joined the good old 69th, like an Irish Volunteer! Then fill the ranks and march away! No traitors do we fear! We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish Volunteer! Then fill the ranks and march away! No traitors do we fear! We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish Volunteer! Now, when the
Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rule ...
came over here, and made a hullabaloo Oh, everybody turned out, you know, in gold and tinsel too; But then the good old 69th didn't like these lords or peers They wouldn't give a damn for kings, the Irish Volunteers! We Love the Land of Liberty, its laws we will revere! "But the devil take the nobility!" says the Irish volunteer! We Love the Land of Liberty, its laws we will revere! "But the devil take the nobility!" says the Irish volunteer! Now if the traitors in the south should ever cross our roads We'll drive them to the devil, as
Saint Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints b ...
did the toads; We'll give them all short nooses that come just below the ears, Made strong and good of Irish hemp, by Irish volunteers! Then here's to brave McClellan whom the army now reveres! He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers! Then here's to brave McClellan whom the army now reveres! He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers! Now fill your glasses up, my boys, a toast come drink with me May Erin's Harp and the Starry Flag united ever be; May traitors quake, and rebels shake, and tremble in their fears, When next they meet the Yankee boys and Irish volunteers! God bless the name of
Washington Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
! that name this land reveres; Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers! God bless the name of Washington! that name this land reveres; Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers!


In popular culture

* In the 1939 movie '' Gone with the Wind'',
Rhett Butler Rhett Butler (Born in 1828) is a fictional character in the 1936 novel '' Gone with the Wind'' by Margaret Mitchell and in the 1939 film adaptation of the same name. It is one of Clark Gable's most recognizable and significant roles. Role Rh ...
nicknames his child 'Bonnie Blue Butler' after
Melanie Hamilton Melanie Hamilton Wilkes is a fictional character first appearing in the 1936 novel ''Gone with the Wind (novel), Gone with the Wind'' by Margaret Mitchell. In the Gone with the Wind (film), 1939 film she was portrayed by Olivia de Havilland. Mel ...
remarks that the child's eyes are as "blue as the Bonnie Blue flag". * In the
1956 Events January * January 1 – The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium ends in Sudan. * January 8 – Operation Auca: Five U.S. evangelical Christian missionaries, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming, are kille ...
movie ''
The Searchers ''The Searchers'' is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision epic Western film directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May. It is set during the Texas-Native American wars, and stars John W ...
'', the song playing as John Wayne approaches at the beginning of the film is a slow version of "The Bonnie Blue Flag". * In the
1959 Events January * January 1 - Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when the forces of Fidel Castro advance. * January 2 - Lunar probe Luna 1 was the first man-made object to attain escape velocity from Earth. It reached the vicinity of E ...
movie ''
The Horse Soldiers ''The Horse Soldiers'' is a 1959 American adventure war western film set during the American Civil War directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, William Holden and Constance Towers. The screenplay by John Lee Mahin and Martin Rackin w ...
'', "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is heard sung in the distance as a Confederate column passes on the other side of a river, and is also played by a company of Mississippi military school cadets, marching out to face the Union cavalry in an effort to delay their progress. (An incident loosely based on the unrelated charge of the
Virginia Military Institute la, Consilio et Animis (on seal) , mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal) , established = , type = Public senior military college , accreditation = SACS , endowment = $696.8 mill ...
cadets at the
Battle of New Market The Battle of New Market was fought on May 15, 1864, in Virginia during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War. A makeshift Confederate army of 4,100 men defeated the larger Army of the Shenandoah under Major General Franz S ...
, 15 May 1864.) * In the
1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo ...
movie ''
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ''The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'' ( it, Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo, literally "The good, the ugly, the bad") is a 1966 Italian epic spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood as "the Good", Lee Van Clee ...
'', the chorus of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is sung by a band of drunken revelers as they drop off
Maria Maria may refer to: People * Mary, mother of Jesus * Maria (given name), a popular given name in many languages Place names Extraterrestrial * 170 Maria, a Main belt S-type asteroid discovered in 1877 * Lunar maria (plural of ''mare''), large, ...
at her home in Santa Anna. * The 1972 television series '' Appointment with Destiny'' made the error of portraying Union soldiers singing "The Bonnie Blue Flag."John S. Rosenberg, "The Perils of Analogy" (John S. Rosenberg on TV), ''The New Republic'', May 13, 1972, p. 23. * In the 1989 movie ''Glory'', a portion of the Bonnie Blue Flag tune is played in the background by several Union soldiers as the
54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The unit was the second African-American regiment, following the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry ...
are marching past. * In the 1993 movie '' Gettysburg'', the song is being played by a Confederate band as General James Longstreet (played by
Tom Berenger Tom Berenger (born Thomas Michael Moore; May 31, 1949) is an American actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes in ''Platoon'' (1986). He is also known for playing Jake ...
) meets with General Robert E. Lee (played by
Martin Sheen Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez (born August 3, 1940), known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He first became known for his roles in the films ''The Subject Was Roses'' (1968) and ''Badlands'' (1973), and later achieved wid ...
) on the first day of the battle - July 2, 1863. * In the
1999 File:1999 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The funeral procession of King Hussein of Jordan in Amman; the 1999 İzmit earthquake kills over 17,000 people in Turkey; the Columbine High School massacre, one of the first major school shoot ...
television movie ''
The Hunley ''The Hunley'' is a 1999 American historical drama television film written and directed by John Gray, from a story by Gray and John Fasano. The film stars Armand Assante, Donald Sutherland, Alex Jennings, Michael Dolan, and Christopher Bauer ...
'' about the '' H.L. Hunley'' submarine in South Carolina during the American Civil War, "The Bonnie Blue Flag" song is sung to raise civilians' spirits during a Union mortar attack on the city. * In a 2001 episode of
SpongeBob SquarePants ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' (or simply ''SpongeBob'') is an American Animated series, animated Television comedy, comedy Television show, television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It ...
("The Fry Cook Games"), the melody of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is played during the opening montage of the Games. * In the
2003 File:2003 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The crew of STS-107 perished when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry into Earth's atmosphere; SARS became an epidemic in China, and was a precursor to SARS-CoV-2; A ...
movie ''Gods and Generals'', the ode to "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is sung in front of the Confederate army by a USO-style performer. * In a 2012 episode of the show ''
Hell on Wheels Hell on Wheels was the itinerant collection of flimsily assembled gambling houses, dance halls, saloons, and brothels that followed the army of Union Pacific railroad workers westward as they constructed the First transcontinental railroad in 186 ...
'' entitled " Viva la Mexico", the chorus of the song is sung by Confederate soldiers-turned-bandits. * In the
2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fa ...
video game ''
BioShock Infinite ''BioShock Infinite'' is a first-person shooter video game developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K Games. The third installment in the BioShock (series), ''BioShock'' series, ''Infinite'' was released worldwide for the Microsoft Window ...
'', "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is played on a phonograph during the chapter "Hall of Heroes."


References


External links


"The Bonnie Blue Flag"
Polk Miller and his Old South Quartet (Edison Blue Amberol 2175, 1913)—
Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project
'.
Sheet music
for "The Bonnie Blue Flag", from
Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg (PG) is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, as well as to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks." It was founded in 1971 by American writer Michael S. Hart and is the oldest digital libr ...

Images of original sheet music (1861)
for "The Bonnie Blue Flag" at the
Duke University Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist Jam ...
library ("Fighting for the property")
Images of original sheet music (1861)
for "The Bonnie Blue Flag" at the
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The libra ...
("Fighting for our liberty")
MIDI
for "The Bonnie Blue Flag", from Project Gutenberg * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bonnie Blue Flag, The 1861 songs Flags of the Confederate States of America Songs of the American Civil War Songs about Texas