The well-known Afrikaans folk song “Daar kom die Alibama” has its roots in a surprising chapter of Cape history during the American Civil War. On 5 August 1862, the Confederate warship CSS Alabama arrived at the Cape while hunting Union merchant vessels. The ship returned to Cape Town and Simon’s Town again in 1863 and 1864, becoming a source of fascination and lively discussion among residents. There were two naval battles close to Langebaan in1863 involving the warship.
The Alabama was a feared commerce raider that disrupted American shipping across the world’s oceans. While at the Cape, the vessel took on supplies and dealt with captured cargo and ships — actions that were allowed under the neutrality laws of the time.
Its dramatic arrival clearly made an impression. Local people began singing about the sight of the ship entering the bay. In Cape Dutch pronunciation, “Alabama” softened into “Alibama,” giving rise to the famous line, “Daar kom die Alibama” (“There comes the Alabama”).
The Plaque that can be seen in Simon’s Town
Long after the war ended, the song lived on. It became part of Afrikaans folk tradition and was later absorbed into Cape jazz culture. Today, a commemorative plaque in Simon’s Town still marks the visit of the CSS Alabama, a reminder of how a distant war briefly sailed into local history.
Listen to the song
