Christmas in the South
Ilove Christmas in the South, I really do, I love where I'm from and you should, too.

It's the ice on the Little Rock in Arkansas, Snow on the Smokeys, and the First Winter

Thaw. It's Cajun Cookin' with Grandma's silver set

to dine, It's gumbo and eggnog … and Georgia's on

my mind. It's the Holiday Ball, the Virginia Reel, the

Tennessee Waltz, Choral sings, and presents brought. It's Santa Claus in a bright red vest, Laying in the sunshine in Old Key West. It's a country church decorated in red and

green hue, And believin'God's good and most people

are too. It's River boats and "the old folks at home," Backwoods, beaches and warm corn pone! It's the stars that fell on Alabam, Hot chicory coffee, fruitcake and cured

country ham, It's hard candy, fried turkey and a drippin'

candied yam! It's the frosty December Delta Dawn, a

Carolina moon, Poinsettias and Holly in full winter bloom. It's colts and puppies in the Kentucky blue

grass, It's pecan pie, mint tea and a little sassafras.

It's the Mississippi River as it rounds the

bend. Its "Gone with the Wind," and Y'all come back again ! There is Spanish moss hanging above a

cypress knee, Southern fried chicken and a full Christmas

tree ! You can hear Silent knight played on an Old Banjo,

And it's Graceland in the first winter's

snow. It's the Holiday Blues in New Orleans, It's the Southland of Christmas dreams. Its Anti-Bellum homes lit up on the Natchez

Trace, Kids asleep in the back seat travlin' to

Grandpa's place. It's Azaleas a-bloomin' on Mobile Bay, And Baby Jesus in the Christmas Play. Its "Rocking around the Christmas Tree,"

with that Nashville Sound, A bare cotton patch, and a vine wreath

tightly wound. It's all of us, Black, White, Red and Brown, And Peace on Earth to all that abound, In large Roaring cities and small country

towns. It's the scent of cinnamon on a Blue Bayou, Collard greens, and "I love you," It's the Christmas we all dream about, So, be happy with family, friends, and

spouse. It's time to come home…. IT'S CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH !!

by J. Terryl "T. Bubba" Bechtol,

Christmas 1989