Southern War Songs: Camp-Fire, Patriotic and Sentimental

by Unknown

Written at Pointe Coupee, La., April 26, 1861. First published in the New Orleans Delta.

By James R. Randall.

[The music of this song can be obtained of the Oliver Ditson Co., Boston, Mass.]

The despot’s heel is on thy shore, Maryland! His torch is at thy temple door, Maryland! Avenge the patriotic gore That flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland! Hark to an exiled son’s appeal, Maryland! My Mother-State, to thee I kneel, Maryland! For life or death, for woe and weal, Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland! Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland! Remember Carroll’s sacred trust, Remember Howard’s warlike thrust, And all thy slumberers with the just, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! ’tis the red dawn of the day, Maryland! Come! with thy panoplied array, Maryland! With Ringgold’s spirit for the fray, With Watson’s blood at Monterey, With fearless Lowe, and dashing May, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! for thy shield is bright and strong, Maryland! Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong, Maryland! Come! to thine own heroic throng, That stalks with Liberty along, And ring thy dauntless slogan-song, Maryland! My Maryland! Dear Mother! burst the tyrant’s chain, Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland! She meets her sisters on the plain— “Sic semper,” ’tis the proud refrain That baffles minions back amain, Maryland! Arise, in majesty again, Maryland! My Maryland! I see the blush upon thy cheek, Maryland! For thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland! But lo! there surges forth a shriek From hill to hill, from creek to creek— Potomac calls to Chesapeake, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not yield the vandal toll, Maryland! Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland! Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland! My Maryland! I hear the distant thunder hum, Maryland! The Old Line bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland! She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb— Huzzah! she spurns the Northern scum! She breathes—she burns! she’ll come! she’ll come! Maryland! My Maryland!

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REBEL TOASTS; OR, DRINK IT DOWN!

Oh, here’s to South Carolina! drink it down, Here’s to South Carolina, drink it down, Here’s to South Carolina, the first to open up the fray. Chorus.—Drink it down, drink it down, Drink it down, down, down. Oh, here’s to Mississippi! drink it down, Here’s to Mississippi, drink it down, Here’s to Mississippi, for she gave old Abe the slip. Oh, here’s to Alabama! drink it down, Here’s to Alabama—we’ll fight for her banner. Oh, here’s to Florida State, drink it down, Here’s to Florida—to Southern rights she’ll ne’er say nay. Oh, here’s to Georgia State—drink it down, Here’s to Georgia State—altho’ she is rather late. Oh, here’s to Louisiana! drink it down, Here’s to Louisiana—how glorious is her banner. Oh, here’s to gallant Texas! drink it down, Here’s to gallant Texas—the Yankees say “she vexes us.” Oh, here’s to brave Virginia! drink it down, Here’s to brave Virginia—she’ll hold up the Confederacy. Oh, here’s to Arkansas! drink it down, Here’s to Arkansas—for she’ll break old Abram’s jaw. Oh, here’s to North Carolina! drink it down, Here’s to North Carolina—with a whoop and a hurrah. Oh, here’s to Tennessee! drink it down, Here’s to Tennessee—for she’s bound to be free. Oh, here’s to brave Missouri! drink it down, Here’s to brave Missouri—whose sons will ne’er say die! Oh, here’s to old Kentuck! drink it down, Here’s to old Kentuck—she yet may have the pluck. Oh, here’s to Maryland! drink it down, Here’s to Maryland—bleeding beneath a tyrant’s hand. Oh, here’s to General Lee! drink it down, Here’s to General Lee—for he’ll set the Rebels free! Oh, here’s to Magruder! drink it down— Here’s to our Magruder—the Yankees’ great deluder.

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