ROSE OF ALABAMA

Published in 1846, by G.P. Reed of Boston, and is credited as follows on the original sheet music: “Words by S.S. Steele, sung by A.F. Winnemore & His Band of Serenaders.” The song became popular among the thousands of fortune-hunters heading to California looking to strike it rich during the 1849 Gold Rush.

“The Rose of Alabama” lyrics tell a light, good humored tale about a banjo-playing young black man, who sneaks away on a moonlit night from the slave quarters on his plantation to court his sweetheart, Rosie (the “Rose” of the song), an enslaved young black girl on her plantation across the river. Everything is going ‘swimmingly’ until suddenly his banjo falls in the river! From that point on, the song seems to be more about a lost banjo than a lost love.

[vitoscaletta]

Whooped 'em again, Didn't we Josey?

[Mr]

My Great, Great Grandfather was born in Alabama. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and raised up in a trench and was shot in the head by a sniper. He is buried in Meridian, Mississippi. From what I could tell, the only thing brought back was his homemade buckskin pouch to hold his bullets which I do have in my possession. Thank you for singing this.

[BamBamBigelow.]

Well Mr. Carpetbagger, we got a thing 'round here called the Missouri Boat ride

[MorningMary]

My dad, who passed away in 2017 was born in Alabama. He played the banjo and would have loved this! His Great Grandfather, Allen Haley Taylor was in the 4th Alabama Cavalry and he lived to be 96 years old.

[charlesjenkins]

The outlaw Jose well's were I fst heard this.. loved every since . thanks 😊👍👏

[shadowbliss]

Cheers from Americana, Brazil. Dixie colony <3

[louGriggs]

Great song. I expected to see Josie Wales on the scene at any second. But it's great you keep the old songs alive. Thank you.

[shankspony]

Love you fellas. From Australia. My Ancestor Lewis morris is the only confederate soldier buried in Australia. (Newcastle cemetery). His grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence. (Also Lewis Morris). Gouverneur Morris (half brother) also signed.
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[blackbeardstp]

Thanks! These Tunes will never be done better than you guys!

[jptey]

Sweet Home Alabama....rip ronnie and co

[MakeNumismaticsGreatAgain]

Thank you all for blessing us with this historic awesome music!

[Gonosen]

That was great...respect from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[guskarl]

Great! Very catchy song - I sing the chorus with you. Greetings from Slovakia (Pozdravy zo Slovenska).

[WESAVEDTHELEFT]

And when the world needed them most, they returned.

[jonas-oshd]

Greeting from Spain! I recently became very interested in civil war history, specially the southern perspective, and was amused by the cuality of the songs, which were totally new to me.
I also recently watched "The outlaw Josey Wales" and this song is featured in the film. All in all, great interpretation of the song, it's a pleasure to hear.

[MajorJackstreet]

It would be so amazing to have the 2nd SC play at the South Carolina Division Reunion next year for the SCV

[michaelclark]

Y’all are the best. I appreciate your work

[standard-carrier-wo-chan]

I found a Japanese cover of this song and decided to check out the English versions. Can't say I'm disappointed, the South has some really good songs, and y'all covered them really well. I'm grateful that I found your band.

[quantrill]

love U from South Tapanuli - Sumatra Indonesia...Josey Wales..scene crossing the river....

[zuzanahessova]

Hello, I always love to hear from you. Greetings from the Czech Republic, i.e. Europe