Lyr Req: While the Band is Playing Dixie

Subject: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: GUEST,dixie darlin'
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 11:24 AM

Sara and Maybelle sing "While the band is playing Dixie," on their Bear family recording. Does anyone have the lyrics to this Carter tune?
thanks, dixie darling

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: Greycap
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 01:15 PM

Hey,
Go to the Carter Family website - it's great and they are almost sure to hace it. If not, get back to me, I think it's around somewhere at my place,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: masato sakurai
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 01:51 PM

I think this was sung not by the Family, but by Sara & Maybelle.

~Masato

Subject: Lyr Add: WHILE THE BAND IS PLAYING DIXIE
From: masato sakurai
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 02:00 PM

WHILE THE BAND IS PLAYING DIXIE

It was on a day when soldiers write a line to those they loved
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.

While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home"
It takes me back to Georgia though I far across the foam.
Once more beside the river with my Mary dear I roam
While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home."

[instruments play "Home Sweet Home"]

That night when all were sleeping came the bugle call to arms
With flaming eyes they plunged into the fray
And among the first to give his life up for the land he loved
Was the boy who dreamed of Dixie far away.

While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home"
It takes me back to Georgia though I far across the foam.
Once more beside the river with my Mary dear I roam
While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home."

[instruments play "Home Sweet Home"]

They found it in his pocket, a blood-stained little note,
A rifle ball 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."

While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home"
It takes me back to Georgia though I far across the foam.
Once more beside the river with my Mary dear I roam
While the band is playing Dixie, I'm humming "Home Sweet Home."

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home
Be it ever so humble, no place like home.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: GUEST,dixie darling
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:14 PM

thanks so much, masato. Where did you find it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:44 PM

Meade et alia 'Country Music Sources' note that the song was published in 1900 with words by Andrew B. Sterling and music by Charles B. Ward. The only old-time recording listed is by Russell & Lewis Burton in June 1931. The Sara and Maybelle recording was made in June 1966.

Red Clay Rambler members - Craver, Thompson and Watson - did a rendition of this song on their wonderful tribute album to the Carters: 'Meeting In The Air' Flying Fish LP FF219. I can't understand why this gem of an album has not made it to CD - it is certainly one of my 'desert island' discs.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:55 PM

What a tear jerker! Tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the band is playing dixie
From: harpgirl
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 02:07 PM

I play it in G sorch and it is g, c and d basically, with the tune of home sweet home as the guitar break....I'll transcribe it for you tonight.