God Save the South
Encyclopedia
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. It was written by George Henry Miles
George Henry Miles
George Henry Miles was an American writer.-Biography:Miles was born in Baltimore, Maryland to William Miles and Sarah Mickle. His father was a merchant and former commercial agent of the United States to Haiti. George Henry was a dramatist and man of letters. He graduated from Mount St...
(as Ernest Halphin). The commonly-heard version was composed by Charles W. A. Ellerbrock, while C. T. De Cœniél composed a different tune for the song. It was written in 1861.
Lyrics
- I.
- 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!"
- II.
- 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!
- III.
- 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.
- IV.
- 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!
- V.
- 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.
- VI.
- 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!
- VII.
- 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.
- VIII.
- 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!"