There’s a reason Rebel Yell whiskey is called Rebel Yell. It’s not exactly the drink of discerning people. Take a big sip when you’re not ready, and you’ll let out a rebel yell. Drink too much, and the rebel yells don’t stop.
Rebel Yell is named after the battle cry of the Confederate Army, a sound that may or may not actually exist, according to who you ask.
Southern writer Shelby Foote made note of its existence during Ken Burns’ Civil War. He said that the union army’s cheer was a manly “huzzah!” sort of sound, but that the South had the Rebel Yell, a sound that you only recognize when it’s happening. Mr. Foote said that he had never actually heard a rebel yell.
I was in the same boat as Mr. Foote – until today, that is.
PRX has a recording of a rebel yell up on their site. Shelby Foote was right – it is sort of a yipping sound that makes your spine tense up a bit. It sort of sounds like the noise my dog makes when he gets stuck somewhere. Only louder. And a little more menacing.
Well, now we know what it sounds like. Ole Miss, you’re doin’ it wrong.
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It was, supposedly, patterned after wolf howls and calls. Somewhere on YouTube is a 1930s film recording of some 70+ year old CW veterans doing a rebel yell. Very chilling, even with old men doing it. Imagine tens of thousands of men coming at you out of the woods making that noise just before battle.
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