The Bonnie Blue

Via SHNV

Scholars who have seriously studied the question of what Northerners and Southerners were fighting for during the so-called “Civil War” have generally concluded that slavery was not a major motivating factor on either side. “Just as most Northerners did not fight to end slavery,” explained the acclaimed historian James I. Robertson, Jr., “most Southerners did not fight to preserve it.” What, then, were they fighting for?

The contrast between two different versions of a popular patriotic song, “The Bonnie Blue Flag,” illustrates the intentions of both sides. Although the song was originally written for the South – adapted from a traditional Irish melody – it was later appropriated by the North. Stealing songs from the enemy was a common practice during the Civil War. For example, “The Battle Cry of Freedom” originated as a Northern song (“Down with the traitors and up with the stars!”) but was adapted to the Southern cause (“Down with the eagle and up with the cross!”).

Although there are different versions of the song, these lyrics were the most common for Southerners and Northerners:

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