Play - Christmas in Savannah

Christmas in Savannah – Dale Ann Bradley
(Paula Breedlove, Mark “Brink” Brinkman)
Paulajon Music ASCAP/Mark Brinkman Songs – BMI

“I beg to present you as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah.” -General William T. Sherman, in a telegram sent to President Lincoln on Christmas Day 1864

The capture of Savannah on Christmas Day 1864 marks the completion of Sherman’s March to the Sea and the tipping point of the war in the Union’s favor. Savannah was occupied on December 20th, and though he flooded the rice fields around the city, Sherman largely spared the city itself. None of the mansions were harmed, and the churches were allowed to stay open. In areas where food was scarce, the troops put together carts loaded with Christmas dinner and delivered food pulled by mules dressed as reindeer. Despite the war and occupation, Christmas still came to Savannah.

Song Lyrics

Christmas in Savannah is candy to the eyes
Steeped in rich traditions of Savannah’s southern life
They celebrate with Santa and a festival of lights
Rolling down the river singing Silent Night.

Christmas in Savannah… eighteen-sixty-four
Came with no holly, no wreathes upon the door
Christmas in Savannah came in the worst of times
‘Cause Santa couldn’t make it through General Sherman’s line.

Savannah fell to Sherman as that year drew to an end
And a victory letter from General Sherman’s pen
Was sent with pride to Lincoln as a Christmas gift
While people in Savannah had to make the best of it.

CHORUS: (Repeat)

There were no Christmas carols heard in that war-torn town
Till 90 Yankee soldiers from Michigan came ‘round
With food and fresh provisions in wagons that were pulled
By little Christmas reindeer that looked a lot like mules.

Christmas in Savannah… eighteen-sixty-four
Came with no holly, no wreathes upon the door
Christmas in Savannah came in the worst of times
Till 90 Yankee Santas brought cheer from Sherman’s line.