Stephen Foster — Nothing But a Plain Old Soldier

(Verse 1) I'm nothing but a plain old soldier An old revolutionary soldier But I've handled a gun Where noble deeds were done For the name of my commander was George Washington My home and my country to me were dear And I fought for both when the foe came near But now I will meet with a slight or sneer For I'm nothing but a plain old soldier (Chorus) I'm nothing but a plain old soldier An old revolutionary soldier But I've handled a gun Where noble deeds were done For the name of my commander was George Washington (Verse 2) The friends I loved the best have departed The days of my early joys have gone And the voices once dear And familiar to my ear Have faded from the scenes of the earth one by one The tomb and the battle have laid them low And they roam no more where the bright streams flow I'm longing to join them and soon must go For I'm nothing but a plain old soldier (Chorus) I'm nothing but a plain old soldier An old revolutionary soldier But I've handled a gun Where noble deeds were done For the name of my commander was George Washington (Verse 3) Again the battle song is resounding And who'll bring the trouble to an end? The Union will pout And Secession ever shout But none can tell us now which will yield or bend You've had many generals from over the land You've tried one by one and you're still at a stand But when I took the field we had one in command Yet I'm nothing but a plain old soldier (Chorus) I'm nothing but a plain old soldier An old revolutionary soldier But I've handled a gun Where noble deeds were done For the name of my commander was George Washington