I’m A Good Old Rebel

Lyrics:

I’m A Good Old Rebel

Oh, I'm a good old Rebel, now that's just what I am,

For this "Fair Land of Freedom" I do not give a damn!

I'm glad I fit against it, I only wish we'd won,

And I don't want no pardon for anything I done.

I hates the Constitution, this Great Republic, too,

I hates the Freedman's Buro in uniforms of blue,

I hates the nasty eagle with all his brag and fuss,

The lying, thieving Yankees, I hates 'em wuss and wuss!

I hates the Yankee nation and everything they do,

I hates the Declaration of Independence, too,

I hates the "Glorious Union" , 'tis dripping with our blood,

I hates their striped banner, I fit it all I could.

I followed old Marse Robert for four years, near about,

Got wounded in three places, and starved at P'int Lookout;

I cotched the "roomatism" a'campin' in the snow,

But I killed a chance o' Yankees, and I'd like to kill some mo'.

Three hundred thousand Yankees is stiff in Southern dust!

We got three hundred thousand before they conquered us.

They died of Southern fever and Southern steel and shot,

I wish they was three million instead of what we got.

I can't take up my musket and fight 'em now no more,

But I ain't a'gonna love 'em, now that is sarten sure;

And I don't want no pardon for what I was and am,

I won't be reconstructed, and I do not care a damn!

Another Version Lyrics:

Oh, I'm a good old rebel,
Now thats just what I am,
And for this yankee nation,
I do no give a damn.
I'm glad I fought a ganner,
I only wish we won.
I aint asked any pardon for anything I've done.

I hates the yankee nation and everything they do.
I hates the declaration of independence, too.
I hates the glorious union, t'is dripping with our blood.
I hates the striped banner, and fit it all I could

I rode with Robert E. Lee,
For three years, thereabout.
Got wounded in four places,
And I starved at point lookout.
I catched the rheumatism
A campin' in the snow.
But I killed a chance of Yankees
And I'd like to kill some more.

3 hundred thousand Yankees
Is stiff in southern dust.
We got 3 hundred thousand
Before they conquered us
They died of Southern Fever
And southern steel and shot
I wish there were 3 million
Instead of what we got.

I can't pick up my musket
And fight 'um down no more
But I ain't gonna love 'um
Now that is certain sure
And I don't want no pardon
For what I was and am
I won't be reconstructed
And I do not give a damn

Oh, I'm a good old rebel,
Now that's just what I am,
And for this yankee nation,
I do no give a damn.

I'm glad I fought a ganner,
I only wish we won.
I aint asked any pardon for anything I've done.
I aint asked any pardon for anything I've done.

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Wearing Of The Gray

Lyrics:

The fearful struggle's ended now and peace smiles on our land,
And though we've yielded we have proved ourselves a faithful band.
We fought them long, we fought them well, we fought them night and day,
And bravely struggled for our rights while wearing of the gray.

And now that we have ceased to fight and pledged our sacred word,
That we against the Union's might no more will draw the sword,
We feel despite the sneers of those who never smelt the fray,
That we've a manly, honest right to wearing of the gray.

Our cause is lost the more we fight 'gainst o'erwhelming power,
All wearied are our limbs and drenched with many a battle shower.
We feign we rest for want of strength in yielding up the day,
And lower the flag so proudly born while wearing of the gray.

Defeat is not dishonor, our honor not bereft,
We thank God that in our hearts this priceless boon was left.
And though we weep just for those braves who stood in proud array,
Beneath our flag and nobly died while wearing of the gray.

When in the ranks of war we stood and faced the deadly hail,
Our simple suits of gray composed our only coats of mail.
And on the awful hours that marked the bloody battle day,
In memories we'll still be seen wearing of the gray.

Oh! should we reach that glorious place where waits a sparklin' crown,
For everyone who for the right his soldier life lay down.
God grant to us the privilege upon that happy day,
Of claspin' hands with those who fell while wearing of the gray.

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The Battle Cry Of Freedom

Lyrics:

The Battle Cry of Freedom

by George F. Root 

 

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,

We will rally from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

 

(Chorus)

 

The Rebel forever,

Hurrah! boys, hurrah!

Down with the traitors,

Up with the stars,

While we rally round the flag, boys,

Rally once again,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

 

We are springing to the call

of our brothers gone before,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,

And we'll fill our vacant ranks with a million freemen more,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

 

(Chorus)

 

We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,

And although they may be poor, not a man shall be a slave,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

 

(Chorus)

 

So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,

And we'll hurl the Union crew from the land that we love best,

Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

(Chorus)

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The Army Bean

Lyrics:

Air--"SWEET BYE AND BYE."

There's a spot that the soldiers all love,
The mess-tent is the place that we mean,
And the dish that we like to see there
Is the old-fashioned, white Army bean.

Chorus:

'Tis the bean that we mean,
And we'll eat as we ne'er ate before
The Army bean, nice and clean;
We will stick to our beans evermore.
Now, the bean in its primitive state
Is a plant we have all often met,
And, when cooked in the old army style,
It has charms we can never forget.

Chorus:

The German is fond of sauer kraut,
The potato is loved by the Mick,
But the soldiers have long since found out
That thro' life to our beans we should stick.--

Chorus:

Refrain:

Air--"TELL AUNT RHODA."

Beans for breakfast,
Beans for dinner,
Beans for supper,
Beans! Beans!! Beans!!!

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When This Cruel War Is Over

Lyrics:

Dearest Love, do you remember?
When we last did meet?
How you told me that you loved me kneeling at my feet.
How proud you stood before me in your suit of blue [grey]
When you vowed to me and country ever to be true? [nevermore to stray]

Chorus:

Weeping, sad and lonely, hopes and fears, how vain!
When this cruel war is over praying then to meet again.

When the summer breeze is sighing, mournfully along,
Or when autumn leaves are falling, sadly breathes this song.
Oft in dreams I see thee lying on the battle plain,
Lonely, wounded, even dying, calling out in vain.

Chorus:

Weeping, sad and lonely, hopes and fears, how vain!

When this cruel war is over praying then to meet again.

If amid the din of battle, nobly you should fall,
Far away from those who love you, none to hear you call
Who would whisper words of comfort, who would soothe your pain?
Ah! The many cruel fancies, ever in my brain.

Chorus:

Weeping, sad and lonely, hopes and fears, how vain!
When this cruel war is over praying then to meet again.

But our Country called you, Darling, angels cheer your way;
While our nation's sons are fighting, we can only pray.
Nobly strike for God and Liberty, let all nations see,
How we loved our starry banner, emblem of the free.

Chorus:

Weeping, sad and lonely, hopes and fears, how vain!
When this cruel war is over praying then to meet again.

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The Vacant Chair

Lyrics:

We shall meet but we shall miss him.
There will be one vacant chair.
We shall linger to caress him,
While we breathe our ev'ning prayer.
When a year ago we gathered,
Joy was in his mild blue eye.
But a golden cord is severed.
And our hopes in ruin lie. 

We shall meet, but we shall miss him.
There will be one vacant chair.
We shall linger to caress him,
While we breathe our ev'ning prayer. 


At our fireside, sad and lonely,
Often will the bosom swell,
At remembrance of the story,
How our noble Willie fell.
How he strove to bear our banner,
Thro' the thickest of the fight,
And uphold our country's honor
In the strength of manhood's might. 


True they tell us wreaths of glory,
Evermore will deck his brow,
But this soothes the anguish only,
Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now.
Sleep today o' early fallen,
In thy green and narrow bed.
Dirges from the pine and cypress 
Mingle with the tears we shed.

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Just Before the Battle Mother

Lyrics:

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 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 traitors all around you
That their cruel words we know,
In every battle kill our soldiers
By the help they give the foe.

Chorus:

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.

Chorus:

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.

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