I cut this article from the local paper in Newnan ,Ga. many years ago and need to share it before I loose it or forget where I put it again. AN unknown poet penned the following words describing the effect Dixie has on the southern heart: Near twelve oclock one summer night at great Columbian Fair , All wearied out, with brain oppressed From viewing wonders there, I seat me down a while to rest In a building wondrous grand, And soon my soul was lulled to sleep By strains fromGilmores band. I know not just how long I slept, Nor what took place the while, Butthere among that stranger throng With music to beguile A stranger lone I fell asleep, And think I must have dreamed, The music was a medley sweet, Or so at least it seemed. I heard or dreamed, or dreamed I heard, Way down on the Suwanee And back in old plantation home Once more I seemed to be. I heard my mothers happy songs, And my heart was filled with joy, To be once more amid the scenes I loved so when a boy. Another old familiar strain While dreaming there I heard, Sweet Annie Laurie, and my soul Again with love was stirred. And by my side I seemed to see My love of days gone by, And felt that I, for her sweet sake, Would lay me down and die. A pause, then faintly on my ear The sweet notes seemed to fall, Of Home Sweet Home, that sweetest strain, And dearest too, of all. And in my heart a rapture wrought Of peace and joy and love____ A vision bright of all thats dear- A glimpse of heaven above. But, hark! A change: my sleep was broke, My Southern heart was fired, By strains the grandest, sweetest yet That ever God inspired Twas Dixie Land that on my ear In thrilling raptures fell I sprang to feet, threw, hat in air, And yelled arebel yell Three cheers! I cried for Dixie Land, The land that gave me birth, Three cheers and then a tiger,too For grandest land on earth. What recked I then of thousands there Who gazed with scornful eye? When grand old DIXIE smote my ear, I had to yell or die
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:45:51 +0000