"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!