edna Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 What´s the meaning of the song? It has something to do with Civil war... but I know nothing about it. What is Dixie? A town? What happened? Thank you very much and forgive my lack of american history knowledge...
EasyRider Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 The American Civil War or The War Between The States (1861-1865).Dixie is also Dixieland.It's the southeasten United States(The Confederacy).I'm not sure about the origin of the term. The song is about the final defeat of the south by the north and it's aftermath.
Addictedtoclassic Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 "Dixie" refers to the region of the country south of the Mason-Dixon line. This is a line that was originally drawn to divide the land ownership between the Dixon and the Mason families. The line is the Southern border of Pennsylvania and the Western border of Delaware. Go here for more details... Clicky!
Kevin Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 This is actually a question I've been wondering about as well; Is it the actual 'night' of the surrender at Appomatox (or thereafter as news spread) or one of the nights preceeding it in their particular area (likely Virginia, after seeing Robert E. Lee ) which conviced the narrator that Dixie was finished ?
_jr_ Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 I live less than five miles from the Mason-Dixon line. There's a rural road, called, aptly enough, Mason-Dixon Line Road. Here are the lyrics. They paint a stark picture. Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train 'Til Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again In the winter of sixty-five We were hungry just barely alive By May tenth Richmond had fell It was a time I remember oh so well Chorus The night they drove old Dixie down And the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And the people were singing, they went La la la la la la, la la la la la la la la, la Like my father before me I will work the land (note 1) And like my brother above me who took a rebel stand He was just eighteen, proud and brave When a Yankee laid him in his grave I swear by the mud below my feet You can't raise a Cain back up when he's in defeat [chorus] Back with my wife in Tennessee when one day she called to me (note 2) Virgil, quick come see, there goes Robert E Lee Now I don't mind choppin' wood And I don't care if the money's no good You take what you need and you keep the rest But they should never have taken the very best [chorus]
Crazy Don Posted January 7, 2005 Report Posted January 7, 2005 Actually, the Mason-Dixon Line ends at the Ohio River! If you're ever in the northern panhandle of West Virginia and you cross over from Marshall County into Wetzel County (or vice-versa) there is a sign there that says "You are now crossing the Mason-Dixon Line"?
edna Posted January 7, 2005 Author Report Posted January 7, 2005 Thank you very much Easy, Addic, Jr, Kevin, Don... Thanks for the lyrics, Jr, I wrote them down from the record and it´s all correct, as I see... the boys of the band want me to sing it. My husband told me what it´s all about but I wanted to make sure... He was right and I thank you very much again!!
RonJonSurfer Posted January 9, 2005 Report Posted January 9, 2005 Actually, the Mason-Dixon Line ends at the Ohio River! If you're ever in the northern panhandle of West Virginia and you cross over from Marshall County into Wetzel County (or vice-versa) there is a sign there that says "You are now crossing the Mason-Dixon Line"? If you extend it east, part of New Jersey is south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
_jr_ Posted January 9, 2005 Report Posted January 9, 2005 I'm sure there are more detailed ones, but this one wasn't too big.
RonJonSurfer Posted January 9, 2005 Report Posted January 9, 2005 Read the book, Beyond The Great Divide. It's a biography of "The Band" and it highlights much of what their music is about.
SoulGirl Posted January 9, 2005 Report Posted January 9, 2005 oh my god this is THE most bizarre thing ever!! my mum sings in a group and they used to do this song back when i was little. i hadn't heard it in years but i woke up one day just before christmas singing it and couldn't explain it. so on new year's eve mum and i sang it together and i've been humming it on and off ever since. it's a fantastic song!
edna Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Posted January 10, 2005 Really, it is... and it allows me to learn a bit about American History... And now I´m singing it with the band (not The Band, my friend´s band...) Thank you very much all of you, you´ve been of great help! Thanks again for the lyrics, Sir Jr, and for the Band info,SirBB...
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