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