Nav: Home > Reenactor Resources > Civil War Songs > Just Before the Battle, Mother

28th New York Infantry Regiment

Just Before the Battle, Mother

Words and Music by George Frederick Root (1864)

1. 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'ts of home and God; For well they know, that on the morrow, Some will sleep beneath the sod.

CHORUS Farewell, Mother, you may never (you may never Mother) Press me to your breast again; But O, you'll not forget me, Mother, (you'll not forget me,) If I'm number'd with the slain.

(CHORUS pp)

2. 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.

(CHORUS) (CHORUS pp)

3. 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) (CHORUS pp)