Wierd coincidence for me as I just recorded a version of Bright Sunny South as an intro to a CD of Civil War songs I'm cobbling together. The last song to be Sweet Sunny South.

John Hartford recorded Sweet Sunny South on an album with his son. I hadn't heard the verse about the children and "Massie" which DOES make it sound as though it were being sung by an ex slave.

I get the feeling from the song that it takes place after the war but I don't recall any specific reference to war or end of war in the song.

Bright Sunny South, though is obviously at the war's beginning I am glad to see the reference to "refinement" as opposed to confinement. I think there must be other "mondegreens" because of the illogic of some of the verse lines. Why would someone's family beg them to go to war? The young man seems to be justifying his going.

I'm confused too, Joe.

Both songs are nice to hear and a delight to play and sing.

CB