The Bonnie Blue Flag - Union Versions

Union Versions

As with many Civil War songs, this song had multiple versions for both sides. One Union version went:

We're fighting for our Union, We're fighting for our trust, We're fighting for that happy land Where sleeps our father dust. It cannot be dissevered, Though it cost us bloody wars, We never can give up the land Where floats the stripes and stars.

Chorus: Hurrah, Hurrah, For equal rights hurrah, Hurrah for the good old flag That bears the stripes and stars.

We trusted you as brothers, Until you drew the sword, With impious hands at Sumpter You cut the silver cord. So now you hear the bugles, We come the sons of Mars, To rally round the brave old flag That bears the stripes and stars.

Chorus

We do not want your cotton, We do not want your slaves, But rather than divide the land, We'll fill your Southern graves. With Lincoln for our chieftain, We wear our country's stars, And rally round the brave old flag That bears the stripes and stars.

Chorus

We deem our cause most holy, We know we're in the right, And twenty million freemen Stand ready for the fight. Our pride is fair Columbia, No stain her beauty mars, On her we'll raise the brave old flag That bears the stripes and stars.

Chorus

And when this war is over, We'll each resume our home, And treat you still as brothers, Where ever you may roam. We'll pledge the hand of friendship, And think no more of war, But dwell in peace beneath the flag That bears the stripes and stars.

Chorus

Another version went.

We are a band of Patriots who each leave home and friend, Our noble Constitution and our Banner to defend, Our Capitol was threatened, and the cry rose near and far, To protect our Country's glorious Flag that glitters with many a star.

Chorus: Hurrah, Hurrah, for the Union, boys Hurrah Hurrah for our forefather's Flag, that glitters with many a star.

Much patience and forbearance, the North has always shown, Toward her Southern brethren, who had each way their own; But when we made our President—a man whom we desired, Their wrath was roused, they mounted guns, and on Fort Sumter fired.

They forced the war upon us, for peaceful men are we, They steal our money, seize our forts, and then as cowards flee, False to their vows, and to the Flag, that once protected them, They sought the Union to dissolve, earth's noblest, brightest, gem.

We're in the right, and will prevail, the Stars and Stripes must fly! The "Bonnie Blue Flag" will be hauled down and every traitor die, Freedom and Peace enjoyed by all, as ne'er was known before, Our spangled Banner wave on high, with stars just Thirty Four

Additionally, the Song of the Irish Volunteers, an anthem of the famous 69th New York regiment known as the Irish Brigade, was sung to the same tune. citation needed