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