4 The Civil War and Reconstruction Eras
3The song seems to equate the love of slaves
for their Missus (the slave owner’s wife) with
their regard for their girlfriends, which could
have been fairly disconcerting if given too
much thought. Perhaps this is why this
stanza is not as widely remembered or as
frequently sung as the fi rst.
4The South has a distinctive cuisine, here
associated with buckwheat cakes and “Injun
batter,” that would likely bring fond memo-
ries to Confederate soldiers.
(CHORUS)
His face was sharp as a butcher’s cleaver,
But dat did not seem to greab ‘er;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Old Missus acted the foolish part,
And died for a man dat broke her heart,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
(CHORUS)
Now here’s a health to the next old Missus,
An all the gals dat want to kiss us;
3
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
But if you want to drive ‘way sorrow,
Come and hear dis song to-morrow,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
(CHORUS)
Dar’s buckwheat cakes an’ Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter;
4
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble,
To Dixie land I’m bound to trabble,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
(CHORUS)
Source: Daniel Decatur Emmett, “(I Wish I Was in) Dixie’s Land.” New York: Firth, Pond & Co.,
1860.
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