Uploaded June 2012 | Updated September 2026, 16 minutes ago
"Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" is a song which was written by James A. Bland (1854 -- 1911), an African American minstrel who wrote over 700 folk songs. It is was an adaption by Bland of the traditional "Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny" popular since the 1840's and frequently sung by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Bland's version, the most well known, was adapted in 1878 when many of the newly freed slaves were struggling to find work. The song has become controversial in modern times.
Ray Charles released a cover of the song on his album Sings for America.
"Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" is a song which was written by James A. Bland (1854 -- 1911), an African American minstrel who wrote over 700 folk songs. It is was an adaption by Bland of the traditional "Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny" popular since the 1840's and frequently sung by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Bland's version, the most well known, was adapted in 1878 when many of the newly freed slaves were struggling to find work. The song has become controversial in modern times.
Ray Charles released a cover of the song on his album Sings for America.
