The Bonnie Blue Flag
with the Stripes and Stars
Words: Col. J. L. Geddes
Music: "The Irish Jaunting Car"
The success of the song in the South soon invited parody from the North who came forth with a ready answer:
Hurrah! hurrah! for equal rights hurrah!
Hurrah! for the brave old flag that bears the Stripes and Stars.
While a prisoner of war in Selma, Alabama,Col. J. L. Geddes of the Eighth Iowa Infantry wrote "The Bonnie Blue Flag with the Stripes and Stars, " and it was sung by members of his regiment in answer to the Southern song.
1. We're fighting for our Union, we're fighting for our trust,
We're fighting for that happy land where sleeps our Father's dust.
It cannot be dissever'd, tho' it cost us bloody wars.
We never can give up the land where float the Stripes and Stars.
Chorus:
Hurrah ! hurrah! for equal rights hurrah !
Hurrah! for the brave old flag that bears the Stripes and Stars.
2. We treated you as brothers until you drew the sword,
With impious hands at Sumter you cut the silver cord,
So now you hear our bugles; we come the sons of Mars,
We rally round that brave old flag which bears the Stripes and Stars.
Chorus: Hurrah! hurrah! etc.
3. We do not want your cotton, we care not for your slaves,
But rather than divide this land, we'll fill your southern graves.
With Lincoln for our Chieftain, we'll wear our country's scars.
We rally round that brave old flag that bears the Stripes and Stars!
Chorus: Hurrah! Hurrah! etc.
4. We deem our cause most holy, we know we're in the right,
And twenty millions of freemen stand ready for the fight.
Our bride is fair Columbia, no stain her beauty mars.
O'er her we'll raise that brave old flag which bears the Stripes and Stars
Chorus: Hurrah! hurrah! etc.
5. 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 wars,
But dwell in peace beneath the flag that bears the Stripes and Stars!
Chorus: Hurrah! hurrah! etc
