Song Lyrics McGowan CD, “The Battle Flag of Dixie” © 2005
Ride With Jackson – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
I rode with Jackson in the Yankee War, all the way to Chance’lorsville.
Fightin’ and a shootin’ all the blue coat men, as many as we could kill.
Routed the Yanks to hell and back, brought the South a great victory,
No greater army ever marched than the ANV, in the Spring of ’63.
Chorus:
“Just give’em the cold steel!” he cried, as we fought for liberty,
“Push on my brave boys! And ride” as we marched to victory.
Then a night we’ll all remember, one that soon would turn the tide,
In the course of human history, the great Blue Light had died.
Vs 2
A master of attack and smarter than his foe, the enemy revered his name
Fearless in battle for his faith in God, called him Stonewall for his fame.
The last words from his mouth on the day he died, he spoke firm and with dignity
“Come let us cross over now to the other side and rest under the shade of the tree.”
Chorus:
Bridge:
Will you…….Count the cost today and the price that’s been paid?
Will you…….Stand for truth this hour for sacrifices made?
Come and ride with me and join the brave, for the battles to be won,
And like me one day you’ll dare to say, our duty has been done.
Vs 3
When you hear the tales of Jackson and his Corp, pay attention now to what they say,
Brave men of the South, who lie in shallow graves, are speaking now to you this day.
Wave the banner of freedom and their colors proud, and don’t forget what they died for,
Not for slavery or union but for Liberty, not only then but for ever more.
Chorus:
repeat and fade...
The Battle Flag of Dixie – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to play Sample
Vs 1
It’s the Battle Flag of Dixie, with colors red, white and blue
Some say she stands for evil, and some for hatred too.
But She’s the flag of freedom’s story, to me a lovely sight;
To me she stands for America, the banner of the right.
Vs 2
In days gone by the battle cry was heard across the land
From Manassas down to Vicksburg, she led our glory band;
She waved on high in vic’try and raised men to their feet,
The colors never doubted, or gave in to retreat.
CHORUS:
Flag of Dixie, the emblem of Southern Roots
She’s the symbol of our Heritage the Banner of the Truth
We will fly her and embrace her with our love that never ends,
Just fly the Flag of Dixie, for the South will rise again!
Vs. 3
When our soldier boys of Southern Pride took arms into the fight,
She led the way “To Arms My Boys” she cried with all her might;
The young and old who bore her there left blood upon the field
They carried her to victory emblazoned as their shield.
Bridge:
When you see the flag of Dixie, please recall the men old
The legacy of Honor left, the heritage of Gold.
The Banner gave a witness then for all the world to see,
And thank God everyday, the flag still stands for you and me!
Vs 4
In our fight to keep her flying proud just listen to what I say.
Press hard against the foes of truth and repel them all away.
Their lies will come to haunt them back when the truth that we do tell,
With courage, love and faith in God, their lies we will dispel.
CHORUS:
Not For Fame or Fortune – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
“Not for fame, nor for place or rank, Nor lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, But in simple obedience to duty, As they understood it, These Men suffered All, Sacrificed All, dared All and Died. “ (Inscription from the National Confederate Memorial – Arlington Cemetery)
Click to Play Sample
Vs1
After blood and death had left the field, where gallant soldiers died,
The love of God and Country swelled in hearts of Southern pride.
So generations yet to come would know why men of old,
Erected in their memory……….., their story could be told.
VS 2
Preserved for their remembrance, in monuments of stone
Soldiers on a pedestal, forsaken, all alone.
Lifted up for all to see, honor forever dwells
Sealed within the hallowed ground…….. where love and duty fell.
Chorus:
Not for fame, or Fortune, ambition, place, or rank
In simple Call to duty, gave all and fought the Yanks.
Led by honor and faith in God, they knew He was their Guide;
Suffered all and sacrificed, they dared all and died.
Bridge
When tyranny did raise its head and threatened them to kill,
They answered with a swift reply, our rights we will fulfill;
These markers bear the solemn vow, for every eye to see,
Men of Southern valor knew, to die would make them free;
Vs 3
While time erodes the image of the men who wore the gray
And who they were is vague and lost, let our voices say,
Once seen by all in graven rock and carved upon the stone,
Now seen in us who follow them,………. their light forever shone.
Chorus: 2X
The Yankee and the Rebel – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1 (The Yankee)
I got my Springfield on my back and I’m makin’ a track
Down to fight the Southern men in the gray;
Vittles in my knapsack, jerky and some hardtack,
I’m goin’ down to save the day.
I kept my powder dry and sent the lead to fly’n
The target was the Rebel boys;
They returned the fire, sent me to the choir
In Heaven’s Pearly gates of joy.
CHORUS:
So when I die, don’t cry, I gave my life for duties call
It won’t be that I didn’t… try, I couldn’t dodge that Minnie ball.
Vs2 (The Rebel)
Lookin’ straight ahead I filled my gun with lead
The target was a Yankee man.
When the Captain said,….. “Shoot” and make ‘em dread
The day they made their evil plan.
To come to Carolina, nothin’ could be finer
To drop ‘em right where they stand.
Squeezed down on the trigger, what else could you figure,
I sent him to that Heavenly band.
Chorus II
So come on boys, in Blue, ..I tell you I’m a marksman true.
Just come on to… the fight, I’ll put you in my sights.
Bridge:
Now to the men ……in blue
We dedicate this song to you
We lift our voice ……in praise.
Standing under fire, crawlin’ through the briars,
Yellin’ Cease Fire! …….. We send you to your grave.
Vs3
That’s the final story, …..how he died in glory
Of the man who wore the Blue.
He came to the Southland, where he took his last stand
Singin’ now from Heaven’s pew.
Chorus III
So come on boys, in Blue, ..you know that I’m a marksman true.
You better take…your flight, I’ll turn off all your lights.
Return to Me – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1 (Female)
The days of darkness fear and dread are mine since you have been led,
To fight the war so far away;
Return to me and loves embrace, I pray you’re safe in God’s grace,
When you return, always to stay.
Chorus
Dream of me my love, sweet peace.
‘Til the day this war does cease
And you return to me (Return to me)
Mine for all eternity.
Vs 2 (Male)
Another year has come and gone since I held you in my arms
The emptiness I feel inside me;
I long to look into your eyes, hear your sweet warm reply,
When I return, no more good byes.
Chorus
Dream of me my love, sweet peace.
‘Til the day this war does cease
And I return to you (Return to me)
Yours for all eternity.
Bridge:
Home ------ward, bound
My love will soon be found.
Vs 3 Instrumental (Violin)
Chorus
TAG
Home ------ward, bound
My love will soon be found.
Just Follow Me – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
I’m more than just a symbol or an emblem of the past
The heritage of Honor, my glory will always last.
I’m the story of the men of the South, they gave their all for me;
The flag of heroes then and now, who strive to keep me free.
Vs 2
I was on the field at Gettysburg , July of ‘63
Wavin’ in the wind for all the boys to see, as they followed me in history.
Shots rang out, lead filled the air, as the regimental infantry,
Crossed over the wall into death’s dark door, to the path of the enemy.
Chorus:
Com’on boys, just follow me, the colors red, white and blue,
We’ll take the battle to the enemy, I will see you through.
I’m the pride of Holy Freedom’s call, the banner of the brave,
The cross of Ancient sacrifice, our Southland we will save.
Vs 3
Underneath me was a soldier brave, who carried me to the fight,
Everything I could see, 360 degrees, was such an awesome sight.
Not a man in gray would ever run away, as they followed me that day;
Up ahead were the men in the Federal blue, but all around me the men in gray.
Bridge:
Rally boys, now and lift me up, and loose your battle sword.
Run meet the tyrants in the field and charge against the horde.
When the smoke and blast have settled and the silence fills the air,
You will lift your eyes to God above and see me flying there.
Chorus: 2X
The Place That I Call Home – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
Well there’s a place that I call home, in a land where the milk and honey flow
Where the warmth of home and family are known;
Where the wind blows a sweet embrace, to all who call it their home place;
Dixie Land the South that I can call my own.
Vs 2
There’s a place that’s really neat, drop on by and rest your feet,
Set a spell and take a load off of your mind;
Hear the call of the Rebel Yell, of those who loved Her O so well,
In the heart of Dixie, just leave your cares behind.
Chorus:
Well, there’s no place on earth I’d rather be.
Way up North, in the West, or in the East,
They say that home is where your heart is, and this you’ll understand.
You can take me from the South, but never from my Dixie land.
Vs 3
We all talk so very slow, and speak some words that you won’t know,
But don’t worry, we’ll help you understand.
We’ll say “Y’all come back now heah”, take you back to yester’year,
In the Southland, where life is O so grand.
CHORUS: Instrumental
Vs 4
We all have a strong belief that life down here is a relief,
From the pace of life that some would call retreat.
Understand when you get here, you gotta put it in low gear,
In the Southern way, where life is O so sweet.
Bridge:
We don’t care too much what folks will think about us.
Life moves slow, we’ll try to stay out of your way.
Don’t be surprised if when you come on down to Dixie,
You’ll soon come to the place where you will say……….
Chorus:
Well, there’s no place on earth I’d rather be.
Way up North, in the West, or in the East,
They say that home is where your heart is, and this I understand.
You can take me from the South, but never from my Dixie land.
You can take me from the South, but never from my Dixie land.
Southern By The Grace of God – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Hear Sample
Vs 1
I was 18 liv’in by a creed, taught by my Mom and Dad;
Southern born and full of life, a gentle determined lad.
When my country called I heard the cry, to join her in the fray;
I was a Rebel soldier proud and true, of the men who wore the gray.
Chorus
Fight’in for Dixie, in the land of the free
….God and fam’ly, My Country ‘tis of thee.
When you pass us by just tip your hat, and give a little nod,
……American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.
Vs 2
We faced the Yankee armies in their uniforms of blue
The battles raged and soldiers died, with death their final hue;
In hardship and distress we were so weary to the bone;
We longed for peace and victory and the sweet return back home.
Chorus
Fight’in for Dixie, in the land of the free
….God and fam’ly, My Country ‘tis of thee.
When you pass us by just tip your hat, and give a little nod,
……American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.
Bridge 1:
…..When his’try writes the views of why we went to fight,
…..They’ll say the South was wrong, and the Northern way was right!
But that ain’t so, I’m here to say, The truth I will defend
Deo Vin Dice, God will triumph in end………
Vs 3
Now I am old and gray, my time is soon at hand,
When we’re all gone we’ll pass the charge for you to take a stand;
Please tell them all about us, no matter, come what may,
For you are the descendants of the men who wore the gray.
Bridge 2:
….Just tell ‘em our story and the words of truth do tell,
….Of Jackson and Lee, and of the “Rebel Yell”.
When we all meet on the other side one glorious hallowed day,
You’ll join us in reunion, as a soldier of the Gray...
Chorus
Come Thou Fount – Words: Robert Robinson, 1758 - Music: Nettleton, 1813
(Public Domain Hymn) Arranged by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Vs 2
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
Vs 3…Instrumental – Violin
Vs 4
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Hail Carolina, Free At Last! – adapted from the works of: Henry Dickson and B.M. Anderson, 1860 Music by Mark Simpson © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
The deed is done! ….the die is cast; …..The glorious Rubicon is passed:
Strong in the right, ….I see her stand, …..Where ocean bathes the shelving sand;
She turns aloft…. her flashing eye; ………. Radiant, her star on high
Silent, along….. those azure deeps,… Its course her silver crescent keeps,
Chorus:
Hail, Carolina! free at last!
….Her sons proclaim her free once more!
Firmly set, her bonds we sever: bow down to tyrants…Never!
….Hail, Carolina!..... evermore!
Vs 2
Fling forth her banner…. to the gale! ….. Let all the hosts of earth assail,--
Echoes the wide….. resounding shore,…. With voice above th' Atlantic roar,
Oh, land of heroes! ……Spartan State!......In numbers few, in daring great,
And while mad triumph…. rules the hour,…Bear back the tide of tyrant power.
Chorus:
Hail, Carolina! free at last!
….Her sons proclaim her free once more!
Firmly set, her bonds we sever: bow down to tyrants…Never!
….Hail, Carolina!..... evermore!
Bridge I
A star arises; a flag unfurled; Her name inscribed among the world;
….A mighty struggle .. an evil decree; .. Her people have arisen and are free.
Chorus:
Hail, Carolina! free at last!
….Her sons proclaim her free once more!
Firmly set, her bonds we sever: bow down to tyrants…Never!
….Hail, Carolina!..... evermore!
Bridge II
The spirit of the fathers in the children liveth yet;
Living still the blood which dimmed the foreign bayonet;
Her fathers fought for freedom, and the sons for freedom fight;
Their God was with the fathers--and is still the God of right!
But vict’ry follows …where the sons of freedom go,
Signaling the onset is the death-knell of the foe;
And holy is the place…. where he was bravely met,
And the star which yonder rises, rises never more to set.
Chorus:
Hail, Carolina! free at last!
….Her sons proclaim her free once more!
Firmly set, her bonds we sever: bow down to tyrants…Never!
….Hail, Carolina!..... evermore! …….Hail, Carolina!......... evermore!
Sherman ’s March Through Columbia – Words and Music by Mark Simpson, © 2005
Click to Play Sample
Vs 1
Was a time of fear, a time of war, a time when evil came,
When the Yankees sought to take our land and bind us in their chains……
No one ever dreamed, how cruel the storm, the impending fiend would bring
When he came to take what wasn’t his, and spoil all other things.
Vs 2
It was the second month of sixty-five, a year since the Hunley died……
When the devil himself came marchin’ through, to finish our Southern pride.
From Savannah to Aiken, to Rivers Bridge, Ole Sherman brought destruction to the land,
Bringing fire and brimstone to Columbia that day, we held our breath and there we took our stand.
Vs 3
The night he came, our hopes grew dim, the streets were set ablaze.
The sky shone bright in fiery display, the night had turned to day.
The sparks and ash flew in the night air, the roar of the flames all around.
Next morning we learned our church had been spared, ….but another burned to the ground.
Was a time of fear, a time of war, a time when evil came,
When the Yankees sought to take our land and bind us in their chains……
Bridge
At Gervais and Main the landmark we hold dear, the scars are there for all time;
Where the range of his guns have left the mem’ry clear, the stars that show of his crime.
Lest we forget who are and where we have come, from the ash that rose from the fray;
With our heads lifted high and our hope is in the Lord, forever the sons of the Gray.
Vs 4
You can take our gold, the silver too; force us from our land,
Burn our crops and our towns; take all we ever knew, we will never submit to your hand.
When time heals the pain we suffered that night, when Sherman made his fateful ride,
And the scars are erased from the land we love, remaining always is our Southern pride.