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Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley)
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Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) |
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Subject: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 11 Jul 22 - 07:31 PM So I know the song isn't the most tasteful, but I'm compiling a list of bluegrass songs about the Civil War. Reno & Smiley put out a whole album for the 100th anniversary of the Civil War composed of original poems by Dr. A. J. Russo, and one of them is this song, titled "Confederate Flag". I think I've got most of the lyrics down, but the second half of the penultimate line is entirely eluding me. Of course, a second ear anywhere helps, but this is the spot I'm most lost. listen Our beloved way of life, the Southland's lazy way Came into being as many worlds would say Plantation's fertile fields and colonnaded home A symbol of the Southland, its dignity and woe Many slaves were slowly getting freedom's taste As time-measured means back then to stop a war in haste The War Between the States, South's blood and honor marred They found their glorious flag red and white with stars and bars A waving fabric cloth, honors white and colors red Reminds us of the promises that warring rooms had pled The purity in its blue, ladyhood and southern belle Rebels Lee, Jackson and Stewart, they never cease to tell Battle-borne and battered, proudly waves through all the fray Bullet-scarred and blood-stained, "never leave us" they did pray When Appomattox came, in marched the Rebel men They stacked their guns that caused this loss to assault the flag again The loss of Southern Cause ??????????? Never will the South surrender, its stars and bars displayed |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 12 Jul 22 - 04:30 PM A few minor corrections throughout. Still missing the big hole towards then end. CONFEDERATE FLAG (as recorded by Don Reno & Red Smiley) Our beloved way of life, in the Southland's lazy way Came into being as many words would say Plantations, fertile fields, and colonnaded home A symbol of the Southland, its dignity and woe Many slaves were slowly getting freedom's taste As time-measured means, back then, to stop a war in haste The War Between the States, South's blood and honor marred They found their glorious flag red and white with stars and bars A waving fabric cloth, honors white and colors red Reminds us of the promises that warring looms at bay The purity in its blue, ladyhood and southern belle Rebels Lee, Jackson and Stuart, they never cease to tell Battle-borne and battered, proudly waves through all the fray Bullet-scarred and blood-stained; "never leave us" they did pray When Appomattox came, in marched the Rebel men They stacked their guns that caused this loss to assault the flag again The loss of Southern Cause ??????????? Never will the South surrender, its stars and bars displayed |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: gillymor Date: 12 Jul 22 - 06:49 PM I'm a Reno and Smiley fan (especially Don) but racist sentiments aside, why would anyone want to preserve such a poorly written song. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 12 Jul 22 - 10:25 PM I admit the song has many, many flaws. But I've been doing a study on the impact of the Civil War in bluegrass music, and I'd like to have the complete lyrics to the songs as I discuss them. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 15 Jul 22 - 12:19 PM I'll revive this one last time. At the risk of making a corny joke, I hope this isn't a Lost Cause! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jul 22 - 02:07 AM Well, I put on my headphones and did my best, but don't think I improved much on what you did. CONFEDERATE FLAG (as recorded by Don Reno & Red Smiley) Our (A??) beloved way of life, in Came into being as many words (worlds?) would say Plantations, fertile fields, and colonnaded home A symbol of the Southland, its dignity and woe Many slaves were slowly getting freedom's taste As time-measured means, back then, to stop a war in haste The War Between the States, South's blood and honor marred (honored mars?) They found their glorious flag red and white with stars and bars A waving fabric cloth, honors white and colors red Reminds us of the promises that warring looms at bay (wounds had bled??) The purity in its blue, ladyhood and southern belle Rebels Lee, Jackson and Stuart, they never cease to tell Battle-borne and battered, proudly waves through all the fray Bullet-scarred and blood-stained; "never leave us" they did pray When Appomattox came, in marched the Rebel men They stacked their guns that caused this loss to assault the flag again The loss of Southern Cause ??????????? Never will the South surrender, its stars and bars displayed |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: gillymor Date: 16 Jul 22 - 08:42 AM Come for the racism, stay for the poorly-worded and indecipherable lyrics. Let this turkey die. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 16 Jul 22 - 09:08 AM Thanks for the help, Joe. Looks like you and me struggled in just about the same places. Part of me isn't sure even Reno & Smiley knew what the words were and just kinda mumbled along til they got back in time. gillymor, as I have already explained, I have a legitimate scholarly interest in this song -- I can send you a link to my writings if it helps assuage your mind. This song is of particular interest to me because it is actually one of the surprisingly few bluegrass songs about the Civil War from this era which even mentions slavery, even if in a revisionist light. That being said, if any of the moderators feel that this song is not appropriate or welcome on the forum, please feel free to take it off. I would hate for the conversations to devolve further to bickering. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: gillymor Date: 16 Jul 22 - 09:44 AM I'm just mystified that anyone would want to preserve a song that is so bad on several levels and should have been smothered in the crib, unless it's being used as an example of how low humanity can sink. AFAIC serious scholars should make better use of their time. I've said my piece now I'm done with this. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 16 Jul 22 - 10:36 AM Well, Joe, it turns out the author, Albert J. Russo, published the poems a few years later. After comparing most of them, a few were adapted fairly heavily between when the album was released (1961) and the poems published (1964) but this one is pretty close. You can read it here We were pretty much spot on with the lyrics. The last line neither of us could get was "so slow for legs that lag" |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jul 22 - 12:34 PM Thanks, cnd. We've had demands before that we should remove unacceptable songs and words, and we have always refused. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: gillymor Date: 16 Jul 22 - 01:17 PM I certainly didn't call for it's removal from this site but I hope that research into this piece of crap is not being federally funded. There is more than enough overt racism rampant in this country thanks to you know who. Now I am done (maybe). |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: GUEST,Disgusted Date: 18 Jul 22 - 06:19 PM the impact of the Civil War in bluegrass music I think you mean the impact of Lost Cause bullshit, Jim Crow, and white supremacy on bluegrass music, do you not? Any songs from The Protocols Of The Elders of Zion that can be posted here? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: GUEST Date: 18 Jul 22 - 06:45 PM We've had demands before that we should remove unacceptable songs and words, and we have always refused. Now THERE'S YOUR PROBLEM !!!,
The whitewashing effort called the Lost Cause of the Confederacy lasted until quite recently. This song is evidence of recent activity in this effort, and it's important for us to preserve and study such evidence. Wiping it away so it won't offend anybody, isn't helpful. Those who campaign against Critical Race Theory are trying to do just that - cover up the ugliness of the history of racism in the United States. -Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: GUEST,Dan Grasso Date: 18 Jul 22 - 08:40 PM We don't bother much with complaints from nameless guests. Even if they're germane, timely, and spot-on & irrefutable. I know, Joe. Shooting the messenger is a time-honored Mudcat tradition - in the name of "fairness" I suppose- the same mistake mainstream media has made for the last three decades. Waaay past time to call racism racism and a lie a lie. No Joe, you're not wiping it away, instead you're providing a soapbox and a forum for the dissemination of racism and white supremacy -and thus you're part of the problem perpetuating systemic racism in this country. And you're wrong again- those opposing the boogie man of "critical race theory" are not simply trying to "cover up" the ugliness- they're actively supporting a bogus counter theory that is entirely devoid of fact. For your info, the "Lost Cause" and the myths about Reconstruction are STILL being taught in schools in Texas, Alabama,Arkansas ans several other states of the Old Confederacy. So do keep your head in the sand, Joe. Converesly, you could grow a set of balls and do the right thing. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: Joe Offer Date: 18 Jul 22 - 08:53 PM Thank you for proving my point, "Dan Grasso." That's the deal. The "Lost Cause" bullshit is still a reality, and it's being enacted into law in many state legislatures here and now. It is necessary to explore all this honestly - with evidence. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 18 Jul 22 - 10:04 PM Hello, gillymor, Dan, and others. At first I didn't feel the responses warranted further conversation, but I'll chime in here and leave it be at that. "I hope that research into this piece of crap is not being federally funded" - not to worry, it is not funded at all, federally or otherwise. It is simply an interest of mine which I write about in my free time. I'm not a musicologist or historian, or hell, even a musician, but they are all subjects I am interested in. "I think you mean the impact of Lost Cause bullshit, Jim Crow, and white supremacy on bluegrass music, do you not?" -- you are indeed correct; the bulk of my study has been about the interpretation of the Civil War within the framework of the bluegrass genre, but that just doesn't quite slide off the tongue the same way. To give you the cliffs notes, though, the general idea is that before the folk boom of the 1960s, bluegrass songs which referenced the Civil War at all were pretty ambiguous as to which side they were supporting or sung from (though there was some bias towards the South thanks to the Tin Pan Alley days) and largely emphasized the loss of life, family, and land, which were all common themes in bluegrass/proto bluegrass genres regardless. This changed in the 60s, when the folk movement encouraged a resurgence of historical material (and thus a delve deeper into the shadows of "acceptable" folk material in search for new/unique songs) and the creation of fake folk-styled ballads around a historical theme. (In fact, Reno & Smiley's album, from which this song is taken, was one of the first such albums, alongside Jimmy Driftwood's Civil War album of the same year). Since this coincided with both the centennial of the Civil War and the emergence of Southernization. From the late 60s-mid 80s, bluegrass took an increasingly Lost Cause / pro South approach to the war. Since the 80s, this trend has died at a rapid rate from the mainstream, with a concurrent increased focus back towards Reconciliationist approaches (both sides suffered; what we saw before the 60s) and even an emancipationist approach. This is, aside from "Those Cruel Slavery Days" by Fields Ward/The New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters, and very very vaguely, Jimmy Driftwood's "My Blackbird Is Gone", the only song which touches on the slavery aspect of the Civil War -- something I think we can all agree was the key contributor to the precipitation of war. Otherwise, most pre-1990s bluegrass music fails to mention slavery even in passing, and instead glorifies the South. Naturally, the blatant Lost Cause / "Happy Slave" myths it perpetuates fit pretty well into the bluegrass genre of the time, which produced songs like "Poor Rebel Soldier" by Flatt and Scruggs (a Confederate soldier won his fight and defects from the army because "there ain't no women in this Yankee land" and the even more blatant "Rebel Soldier (Your Memory Will Never Die" by Charlie Moore, but it expresses a different idea. "Any songs from The Protocols Of The Elders of Zion that can be posted here?" -- clearly a loaded question, but so long as the songs are posted and discussed with education at the heart of their intent. I think I've been pretty up-front about my disagreement with the content of the song, and I doubt any reader would be swayed one way or the other simply from reading what has already been decried as a "poorly-worded and indecipherable" song. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Confederate Flag (Reno & Smiley) From: cnd Date: 18 Jul 22 - 10:06 PM Correction: ** the only song I've found, not, of course, the only song ** |
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