[Kartographer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDyq66_lWY

[Hugin]

I’m surprised how many Freepers don’t seem to get that this is an anti-war song. “The very best” is his dead brother who never should have been drafted. The people are singing because the war is over.

It’s a beautiful song, but it’s no tribute to the confederacy. Just the opposite.

[Flick Lives]

Now I don't mind choppin' wood, and I don't care if the money's no good.
Just take what you need and leave the rest,
But they should never have taken the very best.

A beautiful and sad song.

[AC86UT89]

Canadian Robbie Robertson wrote it after hearing stories from his Band-mate Levon Helm of Arkansas. It was meant to be respectful and historical.

[Kartographer]

Ping for the canteen

[Terry Mross]

Written by a Canadian who visited Helena, Arkansas with Levon Helm in 1965. He said the people still seemed to be defeated. Levon said he helped write it to make sure Lee was respected. By the way, listen to The Band’s version on The Last Waltz.

[minnesota_bound]

She has an annoying voice.

[Bodleian_Girl]

Seriously, it’s just wrong to not post The Band version!

[Fiji Hill]

Juliane Werding's version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is totally different from the others--and it has nothing to do with the Civil War. She recounts the heart-breaking tale of a girl who watches helplessly as her boyfriend's use of recreational drugs leads to addiction and eventually his death--a metaphor of what happened to the "Flower Children" as the 1960's became the 1970's. This tune rode high on the West German charts in the spring of 1972.

Am Tag als Conny Kramer Starb (on the day Conny Kramer died)--Juliane Werding (1972)