[Verse 1]
Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train
'Til Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65
We was hungry, just barely alive
By May 10th, Richmond fell
It was a time I remember oh so well

[Chorus]
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the people were singing
La, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la

[Verse 2]
Back with my wife in Tennessee, one day she called for me
"Virgil, quick come see, there goes Robert E. Lee"
I don't mind chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
Take what you need and leave the rest
They should never have taken the very best

[Chorus]
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the people were singing
La, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Like my father before me, I'm a peaceful man
Like my brother before me, I took a rebel stand
Just eighteen, proud and brave
When a Yankee laid him in his grave
Swear by the blood that runs on my feet
You can't raise a Cain back up when he's in defeat

[Chorus]
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the people were singing
La, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la

[Outro]
The night they drove old Dixie down
All the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
La, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la