Levon Helm, an Arkansas native IIRC, channeled the lyrics to capture a feeling that still prevails south of Mason-Dixon.
He messed up the last verse, IMHO.
Like my father before me, I will work the land
Like my brother above me, he took a Rebel stand
He was just 18, proud and brave, when a yankee laid him in his grave-
I swore by the mud beneath my feet you can’t raise a Caine back up when he’s in defeat...
Better last line-
I swore by the mud beneath my feet we’re gonna rise again and never sound retreat.
Can’t swear by the blood (Baez) unless you’re there.
Just my take...