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Show TRIBUTE TO THE D (By JOHN T. WOODBURY) O, D, in thy effulgent robes of light that ensconces the firmament firma-ment in ruddy might, thou art more than a symbol of Dixie. In thy shining raiment that rends the darkness dost thou appear as the lightning of the heavens, the harbinger of Dixie's new day, the hopeful watch fires of Dixie's long night. O, D, in thy fretful fires are purified all our desires. Our hopes and fears, our loves and tears, our sweethearts and wives, our very lives, in thee are blent. All that is holy, all that's fine, all that is righteous, all that's sublime we find in thee. O, D, thou art more than a counselor, doctor of hearts, deal-own deal-own true love, a bride in the springtime, a wife in the winter, a lover always. O, D, thou art the spirit of everlasting ev-erlasting development, of eternal daring, of wonderful doing, of brave dying. O, D, Dixie's darling, dependable counsellor, doctor of hearts, dealer deal-er in culture, dinner for souls, diver for pearls, dutiful servant, desirable companion, deliberate goodness, we pay homage to thee. O, D, thou art the apple of Dixie's eye, bard of the new day, caretaker of callow youth, diviner of dreams, energizer of the weak,, finder of talents, garnerer of the truth, herald of a new world, interpreter in-terpreter of abundant life, and joy-finder for the earnest. O, D, thou must ever be: Kindred Kin-dred to the noble, lover of man, mother of dream children, nur-turer nur-turer of the best, organizer of character, and prayer for us all. O, D, thou must ever be: A quiver in God's bow, a redeemer redeem-er of the lost, a symbol of purity, pur-ity, a timely warning, an ubiquitous ubiqui-tous influence for good. O, D? O always be: A verifier of the truth, a wonder to the world, a xylophone as tester of souls, a yearner for righteousness, a zither in the hand of God. So, D, be thine to inspire and uphold forever the ideals of the Dixie. So be it, Amen. |