Jeffrey Lesser - How Can I Call This Home? lyrics

[GOVERNOR JOHN SLATON, spoken] Today we honor those who honored us, some fifty years ago. Those who gave life and limb for Georgia and suffered unimaginable degradation. But never defeat. The men of Georgia and the women of Georgia have never been defeated... [LEO] I go to bed at night Hoping when I wake This will all be gone Like it was just a dream And I'll be home again, Back again in Brooklyn Back with people who look like I do And talk like I do And think like I do But then— The sun rises in Atlanta again... [SLATON, spoken] They have risen from the ashes of war with honor and courage and strength! [LEO] These people make me tense I live in fear they'll start a conversation These people make no sense: They talk and I just stare and shut my mouth It's like a foreign land I didn't understand That being Southern's not just being in the South... When I look out on all this, How can I call this home? [SLATON, spoken] I am proud to be a Georgian on this day! [LEO] These men belong in zoos It's like they never joined civilization The Jews are not like Jews— I thought that Jews were Jews, But I was wrong. I thought I would be fine, But four years down the line, With ev'ry word it's very clear I don't belong: I don't cuss, I don't drawl So how can I call this home? [ASSORTED SPECTATORS, spoken] Excuse me! Sorry! Get your souvenirs! Watch your step, Sir! Where's the fella with the beer! Mama, that man pushed me! Lucinda! Hey now, fella! You got balloons? I want one! Settle down! / I never in my life! / I'll take a beer! That Slaton's handsome... [SEVERAL, sung] La la la la in the land o' cotton... [SLATON, spoken] Proud that our state is growing and building! [LEO] Home calls, and I'm free of the Southern breeze, Free of magnolia trees and endless sunshine! Evermore lives the dream of Atlanta, But not mine! Not mine! [LEO] A Yankee with a college education, Who by his own design Is trapped inside the land that Time forgot! I'm trapped inside this life And trapped beside a wife Who would prefer that I said “Howdy” not “Shalom!” [SLATON & ENSEMBLE] We stand together In the great state of Georgia! Strong and proud [LEO] Well, I'm sorry, Lucille, But I feel what I feel And this place is surreal So how can I call this home? [ENSEMBLE I] God bless the sight Of the old hills Of Georgia The old red hills of Old red hills of home [ENSEMBLE II] Ever more lives The dream of Atlanta Ever more her eternal Old red hills of home