Johnny Rebel: (chorus) He was the symbol of those before the gun, who died for what they thought was right in eighteen sixty one.
(Can't remember first line) He left his home in Caroline', his wife and children three, he left them all behind him to march with General Lee.
This is the chorus and some remembered parts from a song a folk duo in my area used to do back in the early 70s. I searched it under 1861, eighteen sixty one, and Johnny Rebel but could not find the lyrics, and memory don't work so good at my age, only bits and pieces come back! If anyone knows it or can find it, I'd like the link, please.
They buried Johnny's body 'neath the weepin' willow tree, but his story still lives on in the land of liberty, 'cause
He was the symbol of those before the gun, who died for what they thought was right in eighteen sixty one.
I am the son of a son of a son of a Confederate soldier.
Because of ‘reconstruction ‘ he left our homeplace forever .
I have not forgotten .