title: The Bonnie Blue Flag
text: # The Bonnie Blue Flag
  
  The Bonnie Blue Flag, conosciuta anche come We are a band of brothers, fu un inno non ufficiale degli Stati Confederati d'America molto popolare tra i soldati e i cittadini fin dalla sua prima esecuzione, avvenuta nella primavera del 1861 nel Mississippi. Il compositore, Harry McCarthy, usa come base la stessa della canzone Irish volunteers, cambiando però le parole.
  
  ## Testo
  
  1.
  
  We're a band of brothers, native of the soil
  
  Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil.
  
  When first our rights were threatened, and the cry rose near and far
  
  We raised up high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!
  
  Hurrah! Hurrah!
  
  For Southern rights, hurrah!
  
  Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!
  
  2.
  
  As long as the Union was faithful to her trust
  
  Like friends and like brethren, kind were we, and just
  
  But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar
  
  We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
  
  3.
  
  First gallant South Carolina came nobly to the stand
  
  Then came Alabama and took her by the hand
  
  Quickly, followed Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida
  
  All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
  
  4.
  
  Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right
  
  Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight
  
  Davis, for a President, and Stephens statesmen rare
  
  Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
  
  5.
  
  Now here's to brave Virginia, the Old Dominion State,
  
  With the young Confederacy at last has sealed her fate,
  
  And spurred by her example, now other states prepare
  
  To hoist high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
  
  (In alternativa:
  
  Now here's to Virginia, the Old Dominion State,
  
  Who with the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate.
  
  Impelled by her example, let other states prepare
  
  To hoist high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.)
  
  6.
  
  Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise a joyous shout
  
  For North Carolina and Arkansas now have both gone out,
  
  And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given,
  
  For the single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.
  
  7.
  
  Then here's to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave,
  
  Like patriots of old we'll fight, our heritage to save;
  
  And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer,
  
  So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
  
  