schlange - Posted - 04/13/2014:  20:00:11

Original Sheet Music Cover, and

Author Daniel Decatur Emmett

This week's tune is one of the most recognizable of all American songs. Loved by many, despised by others, “Dixie” was (ironically) written by a Northerner, Daniel Decatur Emmett (for all you non-Americans out there--Dixie is a nickname for the Southern United States.)

Bryant’s Minstrel group premiered it (in blackface of course) in New York City on April 4, 1859.  Originally called “I Wish I Was in Dixie’s Land," it was an instant hit.  It was especially enjoyed in Southern states, but and among Confederate army bands. However, many Union bands also played Dixie (or versions of it) during the war... and President Lincoln included Dixie among his favorites!

This song is a bit tough to play Scruggs-style since it's very melodic in nature--but it's a beautiful and well-known tune that is worth learning. I had a hard time finding any decent videos of bluegrass banjos playing it, in fact!

Lyrics

I wish I was in the land of cotton,

Old times they are not forgotten;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land where I was born in,

Early on one frosty mornin,

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

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 Land.

But when he put his arm around'er,

He smiled as fierce as a forty-pound'er,

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Dar's buck-wheat cakes an 'Ingen' batter,

Makes you fat or a little fatter;

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Den hoe it down an scratch your grabble,

To Dixie land I'm bound to trabble.

Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Note: there are lots of variations to these lyrics--you can see more verses and variations here.

Learn the Tune

• Hear It: If you aren't familiar with the tune, be sure to listen to the various versions I've included in the playlist to the right


• Casey Henry has posted a Murphy Method lessons for this tune--only $6 thru the end of the week.​ Get it here >


• Good news--our lesson videos can now be downloaded as well as streamed from the site, so you can save them for offline viewing!


• Backing Tracks: Band in a Box tracks are included below at various speeds for your practicing pleasure


• Tabs: Rick McKeon has a tab to go with his video lesson here, and there's also this tab from Arnon Tzori in Israel

Share!

I (and others) would love to hear (and see!) you play your version of this tune--post it in a reply below!

VIDEO: Rick McKeon Banjo Lesson: Dixie (click to view)	VIDEO: Banjo Ben - How to Play "Dixie" (click to view)	VIDEO: Dixie - Banjo Lesson Preview (click to view)	Dixie Backing Track (G) 60BPM
Dixie Backing Track (G) 70BPM	Dixie Backing Track (G) 80BPM	Dixie Backing Track (G) 90BPM	Dixie Backing Track (G) 100BPM
Dixie Backing Track (G) 110BPM	Dixie Backing Track (G) 120BPM	Dixie Chord Chart