Valid points all. A bit of backgroiund. After the Confederacy adopted "Dixie's Land" as their unofficial anthem, Daniel Ducator Emmett, being a staunch Unionist came to despise his most famous song nad refused to perform it ever after. And yes Havard, Emmett was from Vermont (New England)
I rarely perform "Dixie's Land" (And yes that is the proper title)nor do I usually perform "Kingdom Coming" the lyrics of which are racists, but I do on occassion at re-enactments. That neither makes me a racist or a bad person. I am portraying a time in history when race was a severe burden to sum based on the narrow minded opinions of others (Even Abe Lincoln thought the freed slaves should be settled in Liberia.) Kindest regards, Neil PS- sing what you want,It'll irritate the government no end!:~)