Thursday, January 15, 2009

"The Old Red Hills of Home"

(the Parade opener) 

YOUNG SOLDIER: 
Farewell, my Lila
I'll write every evening
I've carved our names in the trunk of this tree. 
Farewell, my Lila
I miss you already
And dream of the day
When I'll hold you again
In a home safe from fear
When the Southland is free.

I go to fight 
for the old hills behind me
The old red hills of home
I go to fight
for the old hills remind me
Of a way of life that's pure
Of a truth that must endure
In a town called Marietta in the old red hills of home. 

Pray on this day
As I journey beyond them
The old red hills of home
Let all the blood of the north spill upon them
Till they've paid for what they've wrought
Taken back the lies they've taught
And there's peace in Marietta and we're safe again Georgia
In the land where honor lives and breathes
The old red hills of home!

Farewell, my Lila. 
Farewell....

OLD SOLDIER:
Look there, my Lila
They call me to tell it
The lives that we lead 
When the Southland was free

We gave our lives for the old hills of Georgia
The old red hills of home. 
Not much survives of the old hills of Georgia
But I close my eyes and hear
All the treasures we held dear...

The rustlin of the Chatahochee
The rustlin in the wind
And mama in the kitchen singin'
And me and Lila swingin' in a tree
Oh, I hear it calling, calling
And I would gladly give my good right leg again!

ENSEMBLE:
Again!
God bless the sight of the old hills of Georgia
The old red hills of home
Praise those who'd fight for the old hills of Georgia
For those proud and valiant men
We'll sing "Dixie" once again. 
For the men of Marietta (for the brothers of Cobb County)
For the fathers of Atlanta (for the patriarchs)
Who gave everything for Georgia and
The old red hills of home!

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