MDDM Dixon's life remembered

[jbor]

More info here:

http://www.xrefer.com/entry/441804

Brewer's notes a slightly different suggestion also, that the name derives
from "Dixieland, the estate of a kind slave-owner, one Dixie, on Manhattan
Island, whose slaves lamented him when transferred south."

best


Steve Maas wrote:

> 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.
>