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 "The Bonnie Blue Flag", also known as "We Are a Band of Brothers", is an 1861 marching song associated with the Confederate States of America. The words were written by the entertainer Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from the song " The Iri ...

," about the unofficial first

Confederate flag The flags of the Confederate States of America have a history of three successive designs during the American Civil War. The flags were known as the "Stars and Bars", used from 1861 to 1863; the "Stainless Banner", used from 1863 to 1865; and ...

, using the tune from "The Irish Jaunting Car." The song was extremely popular, rivaling "

Dixie Dixie, also known as Dixieland or Dixie's Land, is a nickname for all or part of the Southern United States. While there is no official definition of this region (and the included areas shift over the years), or the extent of the area it cover ...

" as a

Confederate Confederacy or confederate may refer to: States or communities * Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities * Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between 1 ...

anthem. The song lost some of its popularity when, late in the war, McCarthy left the South for

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

In popular culture

* McCarthy is portrayed in a cameo role in the 2003 film ''God and Generals'' where he is played by actor Damon Kirsche. He stands on an impromptu outdoor stage and sings "The Bonnie Blue Flag" to a gathering of the

Army of Northern Virginia The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. It was also the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most oft ...

high command. The musicians playing with Macarthy are

David Kincaid David “Dave” Kincaid (born March 21, 1957) is an American musician who co-founded the Seattle band The Allies, and the New York band The Brandos with Ernie Mendillo in 1985. Besides playing with The Brandos, Kincaid has also released two al ...

and the 2nd South Carolina String Band.

References

Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923) 1834 births 1888 deaths Irish songwriters {{Songwriter-stub