Just Before The Battle, Mother

Farewell, Mother, you may never,
Press me to your heart 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 enemy around you;
That their cruel words, we know,
In every battle kill our soldiers;
by the help they give the foe.

Farewell, Mother, you may never,
Press me to your heart again;
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother,
If I'm numbered with the slain.

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.

Farewell, Mother, you may never,
Press me to your heart again;
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother,
If I'm numbered with the slain.

Melody - George F. Root, 1863;

Seq. by Werner Tomaschewski