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It is generally accepted that the author of this song was Carrie Bell Sinclair, a poet from Augusta, Georgia. It celebrates the sacrifices and resilience of Confederate women as shortages
mounted because of the war and the Union blockade. Although first published in 1864, it was written in
1862 or 1863 and sung throughout the Confederacy.
The Homespun Girl
Oh yes! I am a Southern girl,
And glory in the name,
And boast it with far greater pride
Than glittering wealth or fame;
I envy not the Northern girl,
Her robes of beauty rare,
Though diamonds grace her snowy neck, And pearls bedeck her hair.
Chorus: Hurrah! Hurrah!
For the Sunny South so dear, Three cheers for the homespun dress,
The Southern ladies wear!
My homespun dress is plain, I know, My hat's palmetto, too;
But then it shows what Southern girls For Southern rights will do;
We've sept the bravest of our land
To battle with the foe,
And we will lend a helping hand
We love the South, you know.
Chorus
The Southern land's a glorious land,
And has a glorious cause;
Three cheer, three cheers for Southern rights, And for the Southern boys!
We've sent our sweethearts to the war,
But, dear girls, never mind!
Your soldier-boy will ne' er forget
The girl he left behind
Chorus
And now, young man, a word to you: If you would win the fair,
Go the field where honor calls,
And win your lady there; Remember that our brightest smiles
Are for the true and brave, And that our tears are all for those
Who fill a soldier's grave.
Chorus
Carrie Bell Sinclair