Rebels! 'tis a holy name!
The name our fathers bore,
When battling in the cause of Right,
Against the tyrant in his might,
In the dark days of yore.
Rebels! 'tis our family name!
Our father, Washington,
Was the arch-rebel in the fight,
And gave the name to us--a right
Of father unto son.
Rebels! 'tis our given name!
Our mother, Liberty,
Received the title with her fame,
In days of grief, of fear, and shame,
When at her breast were we.
Rebels! 'tis our sealed name!
A baptism of blood!
The war--aye, and the din of strife--
The fearful contest, life for life--
The mingled crimson flood.
Rebels! 'tis a patriot's name!
In struggles it was given;
We bore it then when tyrants raved,
And through their curses 'twas engraved
On the doomsday-book of heaven.
Rebels! 'tis our fighting name!
For peace rules o'er the land,
Until they speak of craven woe--
Until our rights receive a blow,
From foe's or brother's hand.
Rebels! 'tis our dying name!
For, although life is dear,
Yet, freemen born and freemen bred,
We'd rather live as freemen dead,
Than live in slavish fear.
Then call us rebels, if you will--
We glory in the name;
For bending under unjust laws,
And swearing faith to an unjust cause,
We count a greater shame.
_Atlanta Confederacy._