Here's my transcription of the sheet music. Note that it is not the same as the lyrics in the recordings. I can't find the CD box for the Red Clay Ramblers recording, but I listened to the MP3 and I've italicized places where I think Severn's transcription may be wwong.

WHILE THE BAND IS PLAYING DIXIE
[I'm Humming Home Sweet Home]
(Joseph F. Hortiz, 1900)

It was on a day when soldiers write a line to those they love,
To mothers, wives and sweethearts, far away,
When a fair haired boy sat dreaming of a far-off Southern town,
Of a dark-eyed maid who's waiting day by day.
The strains of down in Dixie softly floated o'er the breeze,
With tear-dimmed eyes he drank in every note,
For his thoughts were back in Georgia with the girl he left behind,
And that day these simple words to her he wrote:

CHORUS
While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming home sweet home,
For it takes me back to Georgia though I'm far across the foam,
Once again beside the river with my Mary, dear, I roam,
While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming home sweet home.

On that night when all were sleeping, came the bugle call to arms,
With flashing eyes they plunged into the fray,
Among the first to give his life all for the flag he loved,
Was the boy who dreamt of Dixie far away.
They found within his pocket there a bloodstained little note,
A bullet hole had pierced it through and through,
It began with darling Mary, if I don't come back again,
Just remember that my last thoughts were of you.

CHORUS


(added in Carter & Red Clay Ramblers recordings)
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home