George Frederick Root — Just Before the Battle Mother

(Verse 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 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 (Verse 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 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 (Verse 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) 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