The Spirit of 1861


Arise Confederates! hear your country's call!
The hour is come, --the hour to do or die,
Freemen to stand, or freemen still to fall --
Say, will you fight for Southern Liberty?
By the spirit of George Washington we swear.
The yoke of slaves we'll never, never, wear!

Our father's arms base tyranny defiled,
They would not bear the reproach of slaves;
For freedomlived they, and for freedom died, --
Their memory calls for freedom from their graves.
By the great God of Washington we swear,
The yoke of slaves we'll never, never, bear!

Gleams not the sword more brightly than the chain,
A nobler ornament to deck the hand?
We've borne their taunts--shall Freedom call in vain.
To unsheath the sword, and save our father-land!
By the great God of Washington we swear,
The yoke of slaves we'll never, never, bear!

The Confederate States will claim a brilliant fame,
From her arise a nation proud and free,
We'll raise her flag, and vindicate her name,
Land of the free--the home of Liberty!
By the great God of truth and right we swear,
The yoke of slaves we'll never, never, bear!

Upon our graves shall dawn a brighter sun.
Our children rise to bless their natal earth;
Here shall they kneel, and, when our course is run,
Bless the fair land that gave them a free birth.
By the spirit of George Washington we swear,
The yoke of slaves we'll cannot, will not bear!

~Author Unknown