The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is an important rock song written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band in 1969.

At first consideration it may seem odd that Robertson, a half-Mohawk Indian, half-Jewish Canadian could have created what is probably the best song ever written about the American South. But consider the story within the song, as told by Virgil Cain, a non-combatant railroad worker witnessing the scorched-earth atrocities of the Civil War from the losing side. Cain watches as the Union Army General George Stoneman destroys the railroad that is his livelihood; watches as Richmond falls; mourns the loss of his brother who was "proud and brave/but a Yankee put him in his grave". Who better than someone with Robertson's background could understand the feelings of persecution and impotent rage felt by war's bystanders? The song's central lament -- "You take what you need and you leave the rest/but they should never have taken the very best" -- is equally valid as an expression of grief from a Native as from a Confederate perspective.

Adding further resonance is the heartfelt vocal delivery of the song by Arkansas-bred Levon Helm, who also provides the loping, ragged beat that perfectly suits the song's defeated yet proud theme.

Though never a major hit, "Dixie" was the centerpiece and soul of The Band's self-titled second album, and, along with "The Weight" from the Big Pink sessions, remains the song most identified with the group. The song spawned a handful of cover versions, notably Joan Baez' top-10 version from 1971.