Digital Tradition Mirror

Battle of Vicksburg

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Battle of Vicksburg

On Vicksburg's globes and bloody ground
A wounded soldier lay,
His thoughts were on his happy home,
Some thousand miles away.
     His thoughts were on his happy home
     Some thousand miles a way.

Oh comrades dear, come close to me,
My heart's with you today,
Come hear the word I have to send
Some thousand miles away,
  Come hear the word I have to send
  Some thousand miles away.

An' when you meet my mother dear,
Be careful how you speak,
The cords of life are almost run,
Her heart may be too weak,
  The cords of life are almost run,
  Her heart may be too weak.

An' there's another so dear to me,
She's gentle as a fawn,
She lives behind yon distant glow,
Down by the murmurin' stream,
  She lives behind yon distant g]ow,
  Down by the murmurin' stream.

An' when I'm dead take this here ring
An' bear it to yon shore,
Tell Molly 'tis the gift of one
Who sleeps to wake no more,
  Tell Molly 'tis the gift of one
  Who sleeps to wake no more.

An' here's a tress her own hand gave,
With it I never shall part,
An' when I'm dead don't you forget
To press it to my heart,
  An' when I'm dead don't you forget
  To press it to my heart.

The blood fast trickled down his side,
A tear stood in his eye,
He sighed, I ne'er shall see thee more,
Sweet maid, before I die.
  He sighed, I ne'er shall see thee more,
  Sweet maid before I die.

Oh comrades dear, come close my eyes,
An' make my last cold bed,
Before the mornin' sun shall rise
I shall be numbered dead.
  Before the mornin' sun shall rise
  I shall be numbered dead.

From Ozark Folk Songs, Randolph
RG
oct96

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!