MDDM Dixon's life remembered

[Steve Maas]

Jbor posted the link:
http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/leisure/MEMORIES4.html
to "From star-gazing to canal digging" by Chris Lloyd, an otherwise 
interesting article that contains the following bizarre statement: "To the 
negro slaves in the South, the free land to the north of the line was known 
as Dixie's land. They sang "I wish I was in Dixie", and their new form of 
music became Dixieland jazz."

"Dixie" is the land south of the M&D line.  The white performer Daniel 
Decatur Emmett is credited (?) with writing the song Dixie in 1859.  He and 
three companions formed the Virginia Minstrels in 1842, the first black-face 
minstrel company in the United States.  The original lyrics of Dixie suggest 
that this is hardly a song of hoped-for liberation.  And I've never before 
heard the song linked to Dixieland jazz.

Steve Maas

------------------------
Dixie
Daniel Decatur Emmett

I wish I was in land ob cotton,
Old times dar am not forgotten,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
In Dixie Land whar' I was born in, early on one frosty mornin',
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Chorus
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie;
Away, away, away down south in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

Old Missus marry "Will de Weaber",
Willium was a gay deceaber,
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land.
But when he put his arm around her, he smiled as fierce as a forty pounder.
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land.

Chorus
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib 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 land.
Old missus acted the foolish part
and died for a man that broke her heart.
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie land.

Chorus
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib 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 land.
But if you want to drive away sorrow,
come and hear this song tomorrow,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie land.

Chorus
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie;
Away, away, away down south in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

Dars buckwheat cakes an' ingen batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter,
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land.
Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble
to Dixie's land I'm bound to travel,
Look away, look away, look away Dixie land.

Chorus
Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray!
In Dixie land, I'll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie;
Away, away, away down south in Dixie,
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.


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