FOREVER…DIXIE

My grandfather owned a farm in St George, Utah. That farm included most of the land that the local University presently sits on. At that time the High School and the College were one and the same- and were located downtown on the 2 blocks between Tabernacle and 1st South Streets and 2nd West. My grandfather was approached by School Representatives-who told him that they wanted to separate the two schools, and build a “Dixie College”-Campus. They proceeded to tell him that in order for that vision to come to fruition-they needed the part of his family farm that is now located on what is now-700 East. At the time-my father who was basically running the farm-had fenced that property off and was running some of their cattle on it. They also told my grandfather that they didn’t have the money to pay him what it was worth…or what it would eventually be worth-in the future-but, if he wouldn’t sell it to them-they wouldn’t be able to Establish Dixie College. So…my grandfather came to my dad and told him that was “Giving away dad’s inheritance-but he didn’t want to hold the town back from having a college”. So, out of a sense duty and Dixie-Spirit… he sold them that large chunk of his family farm so that “Dixie College could be established. I actually sent an email to the powers-that-be- at the college-when the big push was being made to change it’s name- sharing our family’s story…and further stating-that if my grandfather had been able to see into the future regarding what was happening to his posterity’s sacrificed inheritance… he wouldn’t have sold it to them! I added that across the street-where his body now rests-he would probably have been “Rolling over in his grave” at their intentions! Of course, my opinion -just as many others whose ancestors struggled against unbearable hardships to settle this town and area-didn’t matter! In fact I never heard back from anyone at then-Dixie State. I realize that there are those who supported the name change. However I have felt an overwhelming obligation to share with those who supported this decision to change Dixie’s name to Utah Tech. - why so many in our area feel so passionate about that name’s removal. My intention is not to create any more controversy than we have all experienced over this name-change. Rather it is intended to both explain our feelings-and to continue the love of our Dixie heritage in our hearts and memories. Thus- the reason for this song. I actually compiled a different musical version of this song that I may post to my channel,depending on how this composition of it is received by all of you. Again-thanks for taking your time to view my channel and listen to my songs!