The Dying Soldier - Carter Family

France’s sun was slowly sinking o’er the hilltops far away

The land was in its beauty where the dying soldier lay

Tears were streaming down his face as he slowly raised his head

And these were the dying words he said

Oh, carry me back to old Tennessee

Let this be my last repose

Lay my feet beneath the lilacs

Lay my head beneath the rose

(Instrumental break)

Take this message to my mother for I know she’s old and gray

At home I know she’s waiting, looking for her boy some day

Oh, dear mother, I pulled through for my country and for you

And I’m dying for the red, white, and blue

Oh, carry me back to old Tennessee

Let this be my last repose

Lay my feet beneath the lilacs

Lay my head beneath the rose

(Instrumental break)

O’er the hills of Tennessee where the wild winds wander free

The little girl waiting there for me Tell her that the rose she gave me will be placed upon my grave

In memory of her soldier brave

Oh, carry me back to old Tennessee

Let this be my last repose

Lay my feet beneath the lilacs

Lay my head beneath the rose