La cançó conta la història d'un esclau negre alliberat, sospirant per la plantació del seu naixement, i es va fer molt popular sota el nom de Dixie, sent ràpidament identificada amb la imatge nostàlgica i la ideologia dels estats del sud. Va ser l'himne oficiós dels soldats confederats (sudistes), el contrapunt del «The Battle Hymn of the Republic» (Himne de Batalla de la República) dels soldats del Nord durant la Guerra de Secessió.[1]
La tornada i el primer vers són encara ben coneguts d'una gran part del Sud dels Estats Units. Se senten molt rarament els versos addicionals.
Lletres
Partitura de «Dixie», pàgina 1/2Partitura de «Dixie», pàgina 2/2
I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten; Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land! In Dixie's Land where I was born in, Early on one frosty morning, Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land!
(Tornada) Then I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie!
Old Missus married "Will the Weaver"; William was a gay deceiver! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land! But when he put his arm around her, Smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land!
Tornada His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaver; But that did not seem to grieve her! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land! Old Missus acted the foolish part And died for a man that broke her heart! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land!
Tornada Now here's a health to the next old missus And all the gals that want to kiss us! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land! But if you want to drive away sorrow, Come and hear this song tomorrow! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land!
Tornada There's buckwheat cakes and Injin batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land! Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel, To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel! Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixie's Land!
Tornada
Una altra versió de la cançó, molt més bel·licosa, es va proposar l'abril de 1861 per Albert B. Pikes, però no es va quedar en la memòria popular:[3]
Southrons, hear your country call you! Up, lest worse than death befall you! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Lo! all the beacon fires are lighted Let all hearts be now united! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
(Tornada:) Advance the flag of Dixie! Hurrah! Hurrah! For Dixie's Land we take our stand, And live or die for Dixie! To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!
Hear the Northern thunders mutter! Northern flags in South winds flutter! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Send them back your fierce defiance! Stamp upon the cursed alliance! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada Fear no danger! Shun no labor! Lift up rifle, pike, and sabre! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Shoulder pressing close to shoulder, Let the odds make each heart bolder! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada How the South's great heart rejoices At your cannon's ringing voices! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! For faith betrayed and pledges broken, Wrongs inflicted, insults spoken, To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada Strong as lions, swift as eagles, Back to their kennels hunt these beagles! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Cut the unequal bond asunder! Let them hence each other plunder! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada Swear upon your country's altar Never to submit or falter! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Till the spoilers are defeated, Till the Lord's work is completed, To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada Halt not till our Federation Secures among earth's powers its station! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Then at peace, and crowned with glory, Hear your children tell the story! To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
Tornada If the loved ones weep in sadness, Victory soon shall bring them gladness. To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie! Exultant pride soon banish sorrow; Smiles chase tears away tomorrow. To arms! To arms! To arms! In Dixie!
