Traditional — The Why and Wherefore

Where, where, where, and where, and where are you bound, young man? Where, where, where, and where, and where are you bound, young man? I'm off to the war, with the good men and true And hadn't you better come along too? I speak my mind quite freely Now ree'ly Why, why, why, and why, and why to the war, young man? Why, why, why, and why, and why to the war, young man? Did a man ever fight for a holier cause Than for Freedom and Flag and for Equal Laws? Just speak your mind quite freely Now ree'ly Which, which, which, and which, and which is the Flag of the Free? Which, which, which, and which, and which is the Flag of thе Free? Oh, Washington's Flag, with the stripes and the stars Will you givе such a name to the thing with the bars? I speak my mind quite freely Now ree'ly Who, who, who, and who, and who goes with you to the war? Who, who, who, and who, and who goes with you to the war? Ten thousand brave lads, and if they should stay here The girls would cry shame, and they'd volunteer! They speak their mind quite freely Now ree'ly When, when, when, and when, and when do you mean to come back? When, when, when, and when, and when do you mean to come back? When Rebellion is crushed, and the Union restored And Freedom is safe—yes, then, please the Lord! I speak my mind quite freely Now ree'ly What, what, what, and what, and what will you gain by that? What, what, what, and what, and what will you gain by that? Oh I've gained enough, whatever the cost If a Free Land, the hope of the world, isn't lost I speak my mind quite freely Now ree'ly