The origin of the carnival dates from the visit of the famous confederate raider, “Alabama”, to Cape Town in July 1863. As the vessel approached the harbour, a Union barque, the “Sea Bird”, which had desperately sought to avoid the confederate ship for some time, made its appearance from the opposite direction. It was soon evident to the hundreds of local inhabitants, who had by this time lined the waterfront, that the raider was intent on seizing the hapless Union ship. The “Alabama” fired a blank charge at the fugitive, bringing it immediately to bay, and steamed triumphantly into Cape Town with the surrendered ship in tow. Visitors streamed onboard the captor, and her captain was the hero of the day. The happy ending to this story came when the local Prize Court awarded the “Sea Bride” as a legal capture. For years this exciting event was discussed at every bar in the Cape and eventually found its way into the song. The curious American influence on this musical festival may have come fromsome members of the “Alabama’s” crew who were inadvertently left behind when she sailed. Other sources are undoubtedly the many American movies shown in the theatres of Cape Town.
Some more – Brian Dale – my brother-in-law, may have been related to these Dales:
“Another scoop for the newspapers in 1863 was the appearance of the Alabama in Table Bay. The amazing story of this American Confederated vessel and its bold captain Semmes can be reconstructed from many contemporary sources. Mrs Dale (wife of Dr Langham Dale just briefly remarks that “Alabama created great excitement. She captured a Federal ship just outside the Bay, and in full view of many people who went up to the Kloof and out to Green Point to witness the fight. However, there was no fighting”.
A Sir John Kotze writes, “the Alabama — ConfederateCommerce raider under captain Semmes — put in at the Cape. Nearing Table Bay she fell in with the American vessel Sea Bride who tried to get within the three-mile limit from the shore between Robben Island and Bantry Bay. When Alabama was signalled from Lion’s rump, Cape Town turned out in a body. Early in the afternoon, it was further signalled that Alabama was in chase of the American barqueSea Bride. That made editor Murray jump from his desk, throw himself in the saddle and gallop to “the turn in the Kloof Road where you command a complete view of the entrance of Table Bay. And there, sure enough, was the Alabama pouncing down upon the Sea Bride like a hawk on a sparrow or rather like a shark after a herring. The rakish little steamer overhauled the barque, steamed round her, fired a gun across her bows, put off a boat and took her in tow. The Sea Bride was sold to auctioneer Marcus for £ 1,400.
More commentary: “Through telescopes, the shots were seen passing the Sea-Bride ‘s bows. Next moment the darkies (politically incorrect term) were chanting “Daar kom die Alabama, die Alabama, die Alabama ”. By four o’clock that afternoon the Alabama, with her prize in tow, neared the wharf in the newly-begun dock. During his various raids around the Cape of Good Hope Semmes captured no fewer than fourteen Northern vessels, thereby providing busy times for the local shipbrokers.
The Song: ‘Die Alabama” – English and Afrikaans translation below.
There comes the Alibama, the Alibama he comes across the sea
Daar kom die Alibama, die Alibama hy kom oor die see
There comes the Alibama, the Alibama he comes across the sea
Daar kom die Alibama, die Alibama hy kom oor die see
Invite, invite, the reed bed, invite, the reed bed is made
Nooi, nooi, die rietkooi, nooi, die rietkooi is gemaak
The reed bed was made for me to sleep on
Die rietkooi is vir my gemaak om daarop te slaap
Invite, invite, the reed bed, invite, the reed bed is made
Nooi, nooi, die rietkooi, nooi, die rietkooi is gemaak
The reed bed was made for me to sleep on
Die rietkooi is vir my gemaak om daarop te slaap
The Alibama, the Alibama, the Alibama come across the sea
Die Alibama, die Alibama, die Alibama kom oor die see
The Alibama, the Alibama, the Alibama come across the sea
Die Alibama, die Alibama, die Alibama kom oor die seeJanuary February March
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April May June July
There comes the Alibama, the Alibama he comes across the sea
Daar kom die Alibama, die Alibama hy kom oor die see
There comes the Alibama, the Alibama he comes across the sea
Daar kom die Alibama, die Alibama hy kom oor die seeInvite, invite, the reed bed, invite, the reed bed is made
Nooi, nooi, die rietkooi, nooi, die rietkooi is gemaak
The reed bed was made for me to sleep on
Die rietkooi is vir my gemaak om daarop te slaap
Invite, invite, the reed bed, invite, the reed bed is made
Nooi, nooi, die rietkooi, nooi, die rietkooi is gemaak
The reed bed was made for me to sleep on
Die rietkooi is vir my gemaak om daarop te slaapThe Alibama, the Alibama, the Alibama come across the sea
Die Alibama, die Alibama, die Alibama kom oor die see
The Alibama, the Alibama, the Alibama
Die Alibama, die Alibama, die Alibama