The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
The Band · Greatest Hits [2000]
'Till Stoneman's cavalry came and they tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive
By May the tenth, Richmond had fell, it's a time I remember oh so well
The night they drove old Dixie down, and all the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down, and the people were singing
They went "La, la, la-la, la, la, la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la"
Back with my wife in Tennesee, when one day she called to me
"Virgil, quick, come see, there goes the Robert E. Lee"
Now I don't mind choppin' wood, and I don't care if the money's no good
You take what you need and leave the rest
But they should never have taken the very best"
The night they drove old Dixie down, and all the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down, and the people were singing
They went "La, la, la-la, la, la, la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la"
Like my father before me, I will work the land
And like my brother above me, who took a rebel stand
He was just eighteen, proud and brave, but a Yankee laid him in his grave
I swear by the blood below my feet
You can't raise the cane back up when it's in the feed
The night they drove old Dixie down, and all the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down, and the people were singing
They went "La, la, la-la, la, la, la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la"
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Released on The Band's 2000 Greatest Hits compilation, this track stands as a definitive example of their signature blend of folk-rock and country influences. Written by Robbie Robertson, the song chronicles the tragic story of a young man who dies in a car accident while driving through the American South. Its narrative depth and haunting melody became a staple of the band's repertoire, often performed live to resonate with audiences. The recording captures the group's raw energy and Robertson's poetic storytelling, cementing the song's place in their discography alongside other iconic tracks like 'Ophelia' and 'The Weight'. It remains a powerful testament to the band's ability to weave historical themes into accessible, emotionally resonant music that transcends its era.