gstoflectricity (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

the band didn't write this song...it's a traditional. they just arranged it. joan baez sang it before them, and she got it from traditional folk music.

mario15pens (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Good input buddy.........its nice to know people can have opinions....

omggarybuseyRULES (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

nah, I don't judge the song for it, it's still good.I just get weirded out when people write in first person trying to "take on the character" of a culture they're not part of.hey, everyone got pissed but you lolcongratulations

kajes5 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I agree rntrammell, reading the lyrics there is nothing racially provocative at all. This is such an emotionally charged issue for a lot of southerners and alike. The song is powerful and truly special! This from a proud "Yankee"

rntrammell (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

How is this song racially provacative? This song is about the southerners who lived through the Civil War and experienced the tragedy that came along with it, i.e. the loss of family and friends, necessity to rebuild their lives, etc. For right or wrong, the Civil War had negative effects on all those involved, Yankee and Confederate alike.

michaelvkelly1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I absolutely love this song. I am from Ireland and in no way am i racist. My knowlege of the american civil war is fairly limited so i wont comment on that. However, I wonder what robbie roberston's comments on the subject where. He wrote it and must have known it was racially provocative to say the least. Is he himself a closet racist? Lets hope not.

kajes5 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I don't think there is more emotion and wrong "facts" in any other post on Youtube. Southerners are very proud of their past and so to argue with them about this song is fruitless. It is a terrific song and I love it. Levon is from AK and did not write this song, Robbie is from Canada and says quite clearly he got the inspiration from travels in the South. The Civil War is a stain for all Americans, North and South right or wrong. Great song period.

cavok84 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i get so sick of all of the bs about right or wrong with the civil war. Post on a debate forum if you must. I just dont give a fuck if this song offends you... and no one else does.

behockey2303 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I'm tired of uneducated people claiming the civil war was a war about slavery; it was a war about state's rights versus the federal government. Besides that, this song is by far one of the best songs ever written, and it is a shame that music no longer sounds like this...

sanderhaugen (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

One of my favorite albums and best memories. It's worth being old to have experienced this time. Met so many talented people and made many good friends.