In this moving ballad, Joan Baez takes us on a poignant journey through the American Civil War from the perspective of Virgil Caine, a Confederate soldier. The song captures the despair and devastation faced by those in the South following their defeat - symbolized by "Dixie" being driven down. The narrative details the struggles of war, poverty, and loss, with references to key historical figures and events. The repetitive chorus with its melancholic "Na, na, na" reflects a collective mourning for an era that has passed. Yet amidst the sorrow, there's resilience and a spirit of defiance seen in Virgil's vow to continue working despite his hardships. 🕊️ This song serves as a reminder of history's lasting impact on individual lives and communities.
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Lyrics
Virgil Caine is my name and I drove on the Danville train
'Til so much cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive
I took the train to Richmond that fell
It was a time I remember, oh, so well
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na"
Back with my wife in Tennessee
And one day she said to me
"Virgil, quick! Come see!
There goes Robert E. Lee"
Now I don't mind, I'm chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
Just take what you need and leave the rest
But they should never have taken the very best
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na"
Like my father before me, I'm a working man
And like my brother before me, I took a rebel stand
Oh, he was just eighteen, proud and brave
But a yankee laid him in his grave
I swear by the blood below my feet
You can't raise a Cane back up when he's in defeat
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na"
Writer(s): Robbie Robertson
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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