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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.
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 perish nobly there.

LittleMoe

The shot and shell were raging
Across the battlefield
Our boys in gray were fighting
Their noble flag to shield
Came a cry from their brave captain
"Look boys! Our flag is down
Who'll volunteer to save it from disgrace?"

"I will!" a young voice shouted
"I'll bring it back or die!"
Then he plunged into the thickest of the fray....
Saved the flag, but gave his young life
All for his country's sake...
They brought him back and heard him softly say,

"Just break the news to Mother,
She knows how dear I love her
Tell her not to wait for me,
For I'm not coming home....
Just break the news to Mother,
For me, there was no other,
And kiss those dear sweet lips for me,
For I'm not coming home..."

The general in a moment,
Knelt down beside the boy,
And gave a cry that touched each heart that day...
"Tis my son! My brave young hero! I thought you safe at home..."

(*Dammit! Sorry, I can't remember the whole thing. Dad sang it to me when I was just that high and the words get foggy after all these years...*)

Thanks for posting the words to the song above, I appreciate it.