JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER. by George F. Root. - song and lyrics

George Frederick Root (1820 – 1895) was an American songwriter, who found particular fame during the American Civil War, with songs such as Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! and The Battle Cry of Freedom. He is regarded as the first American to compose a secular cantata

JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER.

by  George F. Root.

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,

Fill’d with tho’t of home and God;

For well they know that on the morrow,

Some will sleep beneath the sod.

Farewell, mother, you may never

Press me to your heart again;

But oh, you’ll not forget me, mother,

If I’m number’d 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 ev’ry 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.