Redeeming #Dixie (a Name THROWN AWAY by @TheChicks) | @Wikimedia @Wikipedia @History @Quora @HouseOfNames @SongLyrics @Dailymotion @AskMetaFilter @InternetArchive @SouthPark
'That word' (below-hyperlinked to Twitter's announcement of The Chicks' decision to put their original name into 'formerly known as'-status) is built on an even-deeper source ... something crucial that firms the foundation upon which our lexicon stands ...
The word “Dixie” (referring to the Southern States of the United States) was first popularized by a Dan Emmett song that goes by that name. Abraham Lincoln liked the song, and it became the de facto anthem of the U.S. Civil War |Confederacy.
As to 'where that word came from,' there are a few theories:
- from the name "Jeremiah #Dixon" (one of the eponyms of the Mason-Dixon Line---the border between Pennsylvania & Maryland, which became known as 'the border between the Slave-Owners' States & 'Free-Farmers'' States), a name based on ancient words that mean "Son of #Dick (#Richard, from ancient words that mean Brave Ruler (the shortened name starts with "D" because that's what it sounded like when the English tried to trill their "R"s ...
(... becoming slang for |Penis the same way 'Jack' came to mean "Pump-etc.") #Rich #Richie #Rick #Rickey #Ricki #Rickie #Ricky #Ritchie #Rikki #Ricard #Rikard #Rickard #Riccardo #Ricardo #Rico #Richards #Richardson #Rickard #Richárd #Dick #Dickson #Hicks #Richards #Richardson #Rickard #Pritchard #Prichard
- The name "Dix" (or "Dixy") of a Manhattan plantation owner who was so nice to his slaves that--after he sent them away to the South--they'd tell stories of what a wonderful time they had back in "Dixie's Land." #Dixiecrat #Dixieland #WhistleDixie (The gourmet-restaurant Whistle Dixie explains why they chose that phrase as their name)
True, America's strength is its unity (in action) held in spite of its divisions & conflicts (in words & thoughts ... see that 'historical' episode of SOUTH PARK).
It's probably best that The Chicks got rid of that middle-name (tho that's not yet the name that Amazon uses for `em), as the name was a holdover from the days when our divided philosophies bled into our actions (along with the battle-flag American leaders are removing from display, and the statues of rebel-leaders Americans are tearing down).
Yes, rebellion is a constant gene in the American bloodline; but musicians need to encourage our patriotism more than our conflict---calling the proud Americans 'The Dixie Chicks' would be like naming a Christian-band 'The Brethren of Satan' (I mean yes, Satan and Christ were both 'in the line of Our Heavenly Father'; but you shouldn't even think about the way you don't want to follow!)
But still, Mr. Emmett's song has some interesting lyrics:
Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there 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 Land I'll take my stan
to live and die in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie
Ole Missus marry "Will the weaver"
Willum was a gay deceiver
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
But when he put his arm around 'er,
He smiled fierce as a forty pounder,
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
And I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie 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 'er
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
Ole Missus acted the foolish part
And died for a man that broke her heart
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
And I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie 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 ole Missus
An' all the gals that want to kiss us;
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
But if you want to drive 'way sorrow
Come and hear this song tomorrow
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie Land
And I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie 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 Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter
look away! look away! look away!
Dixie 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 Land
And I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie 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
Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there 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 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
I'm reminded of the 'comic' nature of most country/western-songs---sure, life is tough & country-musicians feelings are "serious"; but thoughts are silly! ("You Can't Roller-Skate in a Buffalo-Herd (but you can be happy if you've a mind-to)"; "You Don't Have to Call Me 'Darlin`,' Darlin`"; "Ocean-Front Property (in Arizona)"; etc,).
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