Raleigh Song Suggestions

Your suggestions for the Raleigh song are falling faster than acorns on a windy October night. Thank you very much for contributing to what we hope will become the official song of Raleigh. It will be sung at the September meeting of the Raleigh Hall of Fame Committee during the group's second induction ceremony.

You have given me some excellent ideas as I craft the lyrics for this song. Here are some of the ideas I have received so far. Please continue to pepper me with your ideas. My e-mail address is bleslie@wral.com

Call her yours...

To all those that see her,

As shiny and new must never forget those tree-laden skies of blue.

Oh, how many people Fayetteville Street once knew.

A movie, a walk, an afternoon frolic.

Those horse-trodden streets does pavement confide; Do people recall an old trolley ride?

A sheet of thin ice on a cobblestone street,

Around Capital Square where once we would meet.

A city of history, a city of grace...

Once loomed an Oak tree: said good-bye to its place Altered the face.

A mall, it now stands, an oak used to be where once I had carved for:

"You and Just Me"

A sin not to plant an acorn to the sky,

Is history forgotten? we all should ask why.

O' the beauty of Raleigh in its changing skyline; don't ever forget what you call yours was once mine.

(Anonymous)

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I was born in Raleigh in 1947. My family lived in an apartment in sight of the Capitol Building. I can remember the street lamps with round tops, policeman at the intersections blowing their whistles, and the people blowing the horns on their cars on Fayetteville Street. I remember when the Legislature Building was built and the politicians left the Capitol. Raleigh was much smaller then of course, but it had a genteel and powerful heart. Today Raleigh has endured and accepted a mass exodus of people into that heart, and she hasn't flinched. The heart is still pumping, is still genteel, and is as powerful as ever. Goodness is hard to extinguish.

My mother died when I was nine years old, and I was sent to live with my Aunt in Franklin County. The apartment where I once lived has been torn down years ago, and only visitors go to the Capitol Building and the Governor's Mansion. But seldom has a week gone by that I haven't had some excuse to be in Raleigh for all of my life. People are fleeing from many places in the world today. It's not strange at all that quite a few of them wind up in Raleigh, where hearts are kin.

(Clyde Pearce)

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Sultry summer days and sunny winter cheer,

A haven for golfers and runners all year,

Folks young and old at the State Fair,

Concerts in parks with music in the air,

Trolleys that tour your days gone by,

Bistros, taverns, and pecan pie,

Houses of worship line your streets,

Places where happy folks often meet,

Gaze to the east for the Crystal Beach,

Turn to the west to the Blue Ridge peak.

(Ziethy Martin)

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It's the food, man!

(Well, this is more of a poem, but I guess it could be a song - and by the way, these are REALLY unpolished thoughts)

When you're really hungry and you need a good mix, Your zip code should start with 276.

When you need something special and you have time and money,

It makes good sense to head to the Kanki.

If you don't have much time and a hot dog will fill thee,

See George at the Roast Grill and say, "Mono Chili.”

If only a burger will give you a fill,

you've got 4 chances in Raleigh to stop at Char-Grill.

The inside could certainly use a re-new but the pizza is great at Frank's in Longview Way out Poole Road, it's East, do ya get it?

Stop at Paul Lee's and get you a biscuit Just off Dixie Trail on Medlin Drive, Crowley's hot wings will make you jump and jive.

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you 'bout all the good places to get some 'cue There's BBQ lodge, It's really good, baby, and don't forget Cooper's, you'll find it on Davie.

But there's one thought of 'cue that just brings me to tears,

Murray's has closed after 36 years.

If your favorite restaurant got left out,

Please don't cry, or scream, or shout 'cause Someday you may hear me sing about the rest of the places on my Raleigh lunch route.

(Timothy E. Hamilton)

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BEHIND THE TALL BUILDINGS,THE SUN BEGINS TO SHOW IT BRINGS A MARVELED WONDER, IT BRINGS A GRACIOUS GLOW THE GREAT BLUE SKY IS ALWAYS CLEAR IN THIS PART OF GODS LAND CAROLINA PRIDE GROWS GRACIOUSLY, LINKING TARHEELS HAND TO HAND OUR CAPITAL SHOWS HERITAGE ON EACH AND EVERY TURN THERES SO MUCH IN THIS GREAT TOWN TO GAZE AND THEN TO LEARN AND THEN AT THE CLOSING OF YET ANOTHER DAY YOU WISH ON THAT FIRST STAR, YOU KNOW JUST WHAT TO SAY YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES IN SLUMBER AND WHEN YOU SLEEP YOU’LL KNOW THAT WHEN THE MORNING COMES AGAIN, THE SUN AGAIN WILL SHOW.

(Tina Southward)

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Bill -

I love the fact that I can be in "civilization" and in less than 5 minutes be in the middle of no where.

I live in North Raleigh between Triangle Towne Center and Rolesville, "in the country" in Raleigh.

(Alicia Stokes)

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Dear Mr. Leslie,

My contribution was inspired by my visit to the Woodcroft Wild Birds Unlimited store where your last CD was playing. Maybe you can incorporate the state bird? Good luck!

Carolina Blue is the color of the sky,

Sometimes you look up and see a cardinal fly!

(Maryanne Ross)

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I love Raleigh because it is where the Wolfpack runs free and wild!

(Kathy Tyler)

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I have absolutely not poetic/songwriting skills, but I can say that one of the things I love about Raleigh is driving through the old neighborhoods in the spring to look at the dogwoods and azaleas. This always puts a smile on my face.

(Cherry Fleming)

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Raleigh is the city of hope.

It is a part of the past, present, and future.

Where mountains and ocean are not far away.

Many people have found this beautiful place,

How we have grown but still have our quiet places. With so much going on people taking time to help When we have hard times.

(Joan Price)

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I think you need to include something about it being the capitol of one of the greatest states in the country. I'm not a wordsmith so you'd be better suited to come up with the phrasing for that ;) Also, and you've done a good job thus far, try to have a visionary look into Raleigh's future - the greatness we have still to achieve, while also paying homage to the the history that still guides many of the city's ways.

Oh, and try to refrain from using too many "Tar Heel" references -- however if you want to throw in a Wolfpack reference, that'd be great! :-D

Good luck!!

(Justin Hammond)

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THANK YOU for taking on this project. It will be a lasting treasure. (No pressure there, huh?)

Raleigh is my hometown.

And that's what is so special about this city. We've just recently moved back to "the big city" of Raleigh after living in a small coastal town for 15 years. Sometimes it's experiencing a loss to make your realize what you had or what you need. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful city that has so much to offer. Our people and our places are world renown. Even though Raleigh has grown in leaps and bounds, it still feels like my hometown.

Thanks for listening.

Good luck!

(Deborah Farrell)

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I'm a native of North Carolina, and have lived in Raleigh since 1984, when I entered Meredith College as a freshman. Some of my favorite things about Raleigh include:

>Living in an area that values education, promotes the arts, and welcomes cultural diversity.

>Being in the city that hosts the State Fair which provides something of interest for everyone >Supporting the Wolfpack at home football and basketball games along with many other loyal fans

Looking forward to hearing the finished product!

(Leigh Meyer)

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Hey Bill, I love Raleigh too. I moved here from Vermont over three years ago.

The weather is my favorite part, because I love the warm clear blue skies and seemingly endless sunny days and NOT much snow.

I think it would be great if you would ask Clay Aiken to help you also!

(Mary-Anne)

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I was born in Raleigh although I never lived there until I was in my twentie, and that was only for a short while. What I love about Raleigh is shopping at Cameron Village, riding the train at Pullen Park, walking around Meredith College and seeing all the museums. It's just a great place!

(Ms. Dail C. White)

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