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After the Confederacy's loss to the U.S. in the American Civil War, “I'm a Good Ol' Rebel“ was created as a poem by former Confederate major James Innes Randolph in the 1860s. Its music was based upon the Minstrel song “Joe Bowers“. It is not known who initially created the music, with a claim in 1864 attributing it to “.“ and an 1866 sheet music copy ironically dedicating it to Thad Stevens. “I'm a Good Ol' Rebel“ was first published as a poem locally in Maryland in 1898 but was published as a song nationwide in the April 4, 1914 edition of Collier's Weekly. The song is anti-American in tone, expressing hatred towards the U.S. and its national symbols such as the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Declaration of Independence. It reflected a view held by some ex-Confederates who were reluctant to accept Reconstruction with the United States and an expression of the bitterness and anger they felt after the Confederacy had lost the American Civil War to the U.S. However, it is speculated that the song did not reflect Randolph's personal views and was intended “... to illustrate the irreconcilable spirit of the illiterate in some sections“, as it had been sung and passed through oral tradition throughout Southern bars. The published version initially contained only four verses, but individual performers have added their own verses to reflect their own opinions on the United States. In 1991, a version was released on the Songs of the Civil War album performed by Hoyt Axton Lyrics Oh, I'm a good old rebel Now thats just what I am And for this yankee nation I do no give a damn I'm glad I fought against her I only wish we'd won I ain't asked any pardon For anything I've done I hates the Yankee nation And eveything they do I hates the declaration Of independence too I hates the glorious union 'Tis dripping with our blood I hates the striped banner And fought it all I could I rode with Robert E. Lee For three years there about Got wounded in four places And I starved at Point Lookout I caught the rheumatism Campin' in the snow But I killed a chance of Yankees And I'd like to kill some more Three hundred thousand Yankees Is stiff in southern dust We got three hundred thousand Before they conquered us They died of southern fever And southern steel and shot I wish they was three million Instead of what we got I can't take up my musket And fight 'em down no more But I ain't a-goin' to love them Now that is certain sure And I don't want no pardon For what I was and am I won't be reconstructed And I do not give a damn Oh, I'm a good old rebel Now that's just what I am And for this Yankee nation I do no give a damn I'm glad I fought against her I only wish we'd won I ain't asked any pardon For anything I've done I ain't asked any pardon For anything I've done....
