In 1861, contemporary news reports declared a faction wanted to secede from Illinois, join the Southern Confederacy, and create a new state of “Egypt.” These thoughts of rebellion were quashed in a public address in the town square of Marion, IL, by John A. Logan. Banjo Joe, with his familial ties and historical knowledge, was the perfect fit for this commissioned work. As it turns out, Joe’s great-great grandfathers had both served the Union, and Joe himself had been a war reenactor; this story immediately resonated with him. -SD & JP
lyrics
Let me tell you all a story back in 1861
Down in Southern Illinois in the town of Marion
A big ol’ crowd had gathered
upon the town square
There were horses and their wagons
there were people everywhere
The topic was rebellion
And the union to divide
It was neighbor against neighbor
It was time to choose a side
Now John Logan was a man
that everybody knew
and down here he was respected
To his country he’d been true
He drove his team into the crowd
And he stood in the wagon bed
And the crowd became so quiet
And this is what he said
Well, you gotta preserve the Union, boys
There is no other way
You can stand up for your country, boys
We can’t divide the state
I’m gonna join the army
And I’m gonna join today
And I want you to come with me
And John Logan led them away
Let me tell you all a story back in 1861
Down in Southern Illinois in the town of Marion
credits
from We Are for Egypt,
released November 8, 2022
Artist: Banjo Joe and Danielle
Written by Joseph McCamish
Performed by:
Vocals and Banjo by Banjo Joe
Upright Bass and Background Vocals by Danielle Hartline
