Songs of the 36th Illinois
Battle of Pea Ridge
By 36th Regiment Illinois Volunteers
Song to the tune of "Dixie"
The battle is o’er, the victory won;
McCulloch is killed, and Price he run;
Then I wish I was in Dixie:
McIntosh fought in the morning soon,
And there he met a Traitor’s doom.
Chorus: Then I wish I was in Dixie: away, away!
In Dixie’s Land I’ll take my stand,
To flog Jeff Davis and his band,
Away, away, away down South in Dixie'
Pike brought his Indians, with yell and nois-e,
To kill and scalp our wounded boys: away, away!
We’ve been in battle, and know the danger,
But we don’t fear your Texian Ranger. Then I wish, &c.
Another General, his name is Slack:
Our boys shot him in the back: away, away!
Ben’s nephew thought the South to save,
But now he fills a Traitor’s grave. Then I wish, &c.
Rector’s men they would not stand;
So, he told them all to disband: away, away!
They hid their guns in coche hollow,
Thinking that the Blue-coats would not follow. Then, &c.
But in this they were mistaken;
The guns were found and to Springfield taken: away, &c.
Price thought our boys were just as meek
As the heroic boys at Wilson’s-Creek. Then I wish, &c.
Price feels bad, and so does Van Dorn,
Since Curtis thrashed them at Elkhorn: away, away!
The Seven-days men they would not stick,
But beat a retreat in double-quick. Then I wish, &c.
Price lost his arm, by some ‘tis sad;
I only wish it had been his head:
He tried his Rebel force to rally,
But they saw the Blue-coats in the valley. Then I wish, &c.
His efforts were all in vain;
They did not feel like trying again away, away!
To whip us he thought would not be much;
He forgot Cut Sigel and his Dutch. Then I wish, &c.
If you want to fight, tell us where to meet,
But do not try to cut off our retreat:
For, if you do, good sense you lack;
For, we’re the boys that do not back. Then I wish, &c.
We whipped you once and can do it again,
Without the help of Hunter and Lane: away, away!
You came upon us three to one;
We beat you back and now you’re gone. Then I wish, &c.
Your troops could not withstand the shock:
So, they skedaddled to Little-Rock: away, away!
But there our troops will you annoy:
For, we’re under Curtis, the Hawkeye boy. Then, &c.
36th Illinois Song
Written by Cpl. James L. Dryden, Co. C.
Sung to the tune of "Bonnie Blue Flag"
Come, boys a song for our dear own flag,
Our colors old and dear;
Each shred and tatter time hath made,
We every one revere.
Then fling it once more to the breeze –
Unfold its crimson bars,
And let our friends know we retain
Our galaxy of Stars.
Chorus:
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For freedom far and wide;
Hurrah for the dear old flag,
That fills our hearts with pride.
We’ve rallied ‘neath its ample folds
On many a well fought plain;
And since our Country calls, we go
To bear it up again.
And never since by loyal hands
‘Twas placed within our trust,
Has that old flag dishonored been,
Or trailed in Rebel dust.
Chorus
At Pea Ridge first ‘mid shot and shell
It waved right gloriously;
And many ‘neath its colors fell,
And died for Liberty.
‘Mid shouts of victory;
And waving over vanquished foes,
Kentucky was made free,
Chorus
On Murfreesboro’s stubborn field
We see it next displayed;
Though forced by numbers once to yield
Our trust was not betrayed.
But high aloft ‘mid carnage dire,
We bore its flaming bars,
And three score men there shed their blood,
To purify its stars.
Chorus
Next on Chickamauga’s plain,
It faced Virginia’s pride;
Though driven back, ‘twas borne aloft,
And Rebel shells defied.
And last on Chattanooga’s height,
In honor ‘twas upreared,
And proudly waved ‘till Mission Ridge
Of Dusky Coats was cleared.
Chorus
Then, boys, we’ll ever love that flag,
Stand by it firm and true;
We’ll wipe out treason from our land,
And traitor hordes subdue.
Then friends at home will look with pride
On those time honored bars,
And bless the men who fought and died
To reunite the stars.
Chorus