Sorcha, thanks. I'll check with my friend.

In another thread there's a great discussion of the niceties and legalities of re-writing lyrics. It strikes me that this song is quite lovely in any vernacular:

Where the balmy airs are sighing and the roses catch the dew,
And the mockingbirds are singing in the trees.
There's a charming little city and I'll ever hold it true,
I was brought up amongst its butterflies and bees.
Through its pastures and green fields I've played the whole day long,
Yet from them all I've been obliged to roam.
But when I think of the happy times, the merry song and dance,
I long to see my Old Savannah Home.

Chorus

I long to see my home again and feel its scented breeze,
Through its sunny streets I long to roam,
I long to hear the mockingbirds a-singing in the trees,
That grew around my old Savannah Home.