This song was originally written for the Northern minstrel stage and was first preformed by Byrant's Minstrels as a closing number at New York City's Mechanics hall. It was introduced to the South by Carlo Patti, the orchestra director at New Orleans Varieties Theater, who used it to accompany a march and drill routine performed by 40 women dressed as Zouaves. It took the town by storm and went on to become the unofficial "national anthem" of the Confederacy when it was played at Jefferson Davis's 1861 inauguration. "Dixie's Land" was also one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite songs and the first song he asked to be played for him in public following Lee's surrender at Appomatox. Lyrics: I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! In Dixie's land where I was born in, Early on one frosty morning, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Old Missus married "Will the Weaver"; William was a gay deceiver! Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! But when he put his arm around her, Smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaver, But that did not seem to grieve her, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Old Missus acted the foolish part, And died for a man that broker her heart, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Now here's a health to the next old missus, And all the gals that want to kiss us, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! But if you want to drive away sorrow, Come and hear this song tomorrow, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! There's buckwheat cakes and Injin batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter! Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel, To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel! Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie's Land! Then I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie!
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