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Chuck Sir, and all readin, I realize that a ton of folks are all geared up for the Hunley Service. I won't be attending even though an offer was made to pay all my expenses to and from. I will be found on that weekend in Chicago, Illinois of all places. I have been asked to perform some music for the Douglas Camp #1507 Memorial Service at Oak Woods Cemetery. I'm sure that most of your readers know of the "Andersonville of the North". The site of a mass grave of 6,000+ Confederate POWs. This will be the Warren family's third year in a row, of attending this most moving service. Actually ,we attended before my SCV membership came through. I am most honored at being asked to perform......The music selection was left up to me, and I first chose (with permission) Robert Lloyd's "Gray Ghosts of Heaven". Robert was good enough to fwd me the lyrics and lead sheet. After playing it now for over a month, my rendition of it never suited me enough to do the song the justice it deserved. So, I went on a song search and after goin through 70 some songs, I got frustrated that I could'nt find the right one, so I wrote one. I call it "In Your Honor". Simple, but it's what I wanted to convey. Now I'm writing to advise you and your readers, if any of ya'll had kin imprisoned there , whether they survived and made it home or are buried in the Godforsaken land of Ape, if ya'll would like Pam, Mayme or myself to sprinkle Southern soil from your ancestor's state, in their memory, we'd be most honored to do so..........I would say it usually takes near a half hour for the sprinkling of the soil portion of the service, and the tolling of the bell and roll call of those who perished in that hell hole is most moving. I have never made it through a service there yet without tears in the eyes. My biggest fear is not being able to do the song the way I wish to perform it. Anyway, I make the offer in utmost sincerity, and I am sure there are several on this list who had kin there and have never been to attend the memorial, and if my family can pay tribute in their behalf, so much the better.
Warmest regards from Behind Enemy Lines, |
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"In Honor of You" @T. Warren, Red Dirt and Red Skin Music, 2004 |
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The first of ya came here in February, 1862, Far from your homelands, surrounded by blue. Cold, tired, weary.....and worn through and through, I wouldn't treat a dog, the way they treated you. REFRAIN: To the boys and men of Douglas, I send out this song. We salute, and revere you, in anguish We fight to right the wrongs, Of the war crimes done against you, In a place you didn't belong. Those who came with blankets Had them taken away. Starvation, filth, disease and squalor, Was the order of the day. May we ne'er forget their sacrifice, this, oh Lord, I pray. REFRAIN To you, the one in five who died, Behind Camp Douglas walls, We toll the bell, and call the roll, Knowing well, you are in Heaven, Having already done your time in hell. REFRAIN, followed by the first verse of DIXIE |