Twenty years in Missouri, when I left the trees were green
Answered the call of fury, to fight for our beliefs
My uniform is splendid, my rifle clean
Mother I'll write you letters, tell you what I see.

The cannon balls come screamin' ears filled with cries and moans
Sometimes I think I'm dreamin', blood on the snow
Now my belly's burnin', their lead has found its mark
So cold my legs are turnin', the world is goin' dark

I don't claim to understand the force that drives this man
Just my faith in what I'm told, bravery is gold
Mother it seems a shame to die so far away
Will someone send me home

I don't claim to comprehend the feud between these men
All I know is what I see, thye don't care for me
All the glory's lies, left me here to die
Alone and cryin' I bleed.