JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER by George F. Root (1820-1895) Just before the battle, Mother, I am thinking most of you. While upon the field we're watching, with the enemy in view. Comrades brave are 'round me lying, filled with thoughts of home and God; For well they know that on the morrow, some will sleep beneath the sod. CHORUS: Farewell, Mother, you may never press me to your breast again; But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother, if I'm numbered with the slain. Oh, I long to see you, Mother, and the loving ones at home, But I'll never leave our banner till in honor I can come. Tell the traitors all around you that their cruel words we know, In every battle kill our soldiers by the help they give the foe. CHORUS Hark! I hear the bugles sounding, 'tis the signal for the fight, Now, may God protect us, Mother, as He ever does the right. Hear "The Battle Cry of Freedom," how it swells upon the air, Oh, yes, we'll rally 'round the standard, or we'll nobly perish there JOHN BROWN'S BODY by Anonymous John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, But his soul goes marching on. CHORUS: Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, His soul goes marching on. He's gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Lord, He's gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Lord, He's gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Lord, His soul goes marching on.--CHORUS John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, His soul goes marching on.--CHORUS John Brown died that the slaves might be free, John Brown died that the slaves might be free, John Brown died that the slaves might be free, His soul goes marching on.--CHORUS The stars above in Heaven now are looking kindly down, The stars above in Heaven now are looking kindly down, The stars above in Heaven now are looking kindly down, His soul goes marching on.--CHORUS I GOES TO FIGHT MIT SIGEL Words by F. Poole Music: The Girl I Left Behind Me I've come shust now to tells you how, I goes mit regimentals, To schlauch dem voes of Liberty, Like dem old Continentals, Vot fights mit England long ago, To save der Yankee Eagle; Und now I gets my sojer clothes; I'm going to fight mit Sigel. Ven I comes from der Deutsche Countree, I vorks somedimes at baking; Den I keeps a lager beer saloon, Und den I goes shoe-making; But now I was a sojer been To save der Yankee Eagle, To schlauch dem tam secession volks, I goes to fight mit Sigel. I gets ein tam big rifle guns, Und puts him to mine shoulder, Den march so bold like a big jackhorse, Und may been someding bolder; I goes off mit de volunteers To save der Yankee Eagle; To give dem Rebel vellers fits. I goes to fight mit Sigel. Dem Deutschen mens mit Sigel's band At fighting have no rival; Und ven Cheff Davis mens ve meet, Ve schlauch em like de tuyvil. Dere's only von ting vot I fear, Ven pattling for der Eagle, I vont get not no lager beer, Ven I goes to fight mit Sigel. For rations dey gives salty pork, I dinks dat was a great sell; I petter likes de saurkraut, Der Schvitzer-kase und bretzel. If Fighting Joe will give us dem, Ve'll save der Yankee Eagle, Und I'll put mine frau in breech-a-loons, To go and fight mit Sigel. O! TOUCH NOT MY SISTER'S PICTURE [or THE CONFESSION OF A REBEL PRISONER] Words by Mrs. E.S. Kellogg Music by T. Martin Towne (1835-1911?) On the bloody field of battle, One dark night, with stealthy tread, I was prowling 'round for plunder, 'Mid the dying and the dead; As I roughly seized a locket, Pressed upon a throbbing breast, Words of pleading, faintly uttered, Sought my purpose to arrest. CHORUS: O! Touch not my sister's picture, Let it lie upon my heart; With the parting kiss I promised I would never with it part. "'Tis my dearest earthly treasure, But to you of little worth; Would you rob a fellow soldier, Dying on the cold, damp earth? Gentle Mary, thy dear image, With its sweet, approving smile, As I fondly gazed upon it Kept me pure among the vile.".--CHORUS "Lonely orphans from our childhood, With no one to love beside, She hath been my more than mother -- Friend and counselor and guide. By the memory of thy mother, Let me plead with thee once more, Though I but repeat the language Which I vainly used before." FINAL CHORUS: "O! Touch not my sister's picture." With these words he sank to rest. In a new-made grave I laid him, With that locket on his breast. TENTING ON THE OLD CAMPGROUND By Walter Kittredge We're tenting tonight on the old camp ground, Give us a song to cheer Our weary hearts, a song of home, And friends we love so dear. Chorus: Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, Wishing for the war to cease; Many are the hearts that are looking for the right To see the dawn of peace. Tenting tonight, tenting tonight, tenting on the old camp ground We've been tenting tonight on the old camp ground, Thinking of days gone by, Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand And the tear that said "Goodbye!" Chorus We are tired of war on the old camp ground, Many are dead and gone, Of the brave and true who've left their homes, Others been wounded long. Chorus We've been fighting today on the old camp ground, Many are lying near; Some are dead and some are dying, Many are in tears. Final Chorus: Many are the heart that are weary tonight, Wishing for the war to cease; Many are the hearts that are looking for the right To see the dawn of peace Dying tonight, dying tonight, dying on the old camp ground. ALWAYS STAND ON THE UNION SIDE By M.C. Bisbee Always stand on the Union side, And battle for the right. With conscience clear, we'll laugh at fear In the midst of the boldest fight. Why turn against our native land, The mother whom we love? Who ever rules with gentle hand, Till children recreant prove? CHORUS: Always stand on the Union side, And battle for the right. With conscience clear, we'll laugh at fear In the midst of the boldest fight. Always stand on the Union side, And "keep your powder dry." We'll soon rejoice both far and wide To see secession die. 'Tis better in defense of truth, To be both brave and bold, Than side with traitors and at last Be left out in the cold. CHORUS Always stand on the Union side, 'Tis better, as you see, Heav'n will crown our gallant arms, With Union victory! If you would have your children learn, To speak with holy pride, Of this their dear beloved land! Stand on the Union side!