American Old Time Song Lyrics: 24 The Tennessee Boys

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 24

THE TENNESSEE BOYS.

Oh, Tennessee boys, I tell you
Our fate is awful but 'tis true,
The North and South once wore a yoke,
But now the tie is forever broke.

It was in the year of sixty-one
Those bloody battles first begun,
So you, the boys of Tennessee,
Into action soon must be.

But, oh, my boys, to see you start,
Leaving behind many a broken heart,
Leaving your wives and sweethearts dear,
Filled with grief and many a tear.

Your country called, and with might and main
You bravely marched through mud and rain;
From your good homes you were debarred
Many a cold night while standing guard.

But, alas! alas! my boys, we learn
The scale with you was forced to turn,
For on Thursday morn at break of day
Our orders to march away.

To the battle-field you did fly,
Where many a noble and brave did die;
There, stained with blood, did gain a name
For lofty courage and goodly fame.

We fought them bravely till Saturday night,
And had the Yankees put to flight,
But, alas! the North it sent a shower
Which did our army overpower.

The flag of surrender soon came up,
Which was to you a bitter cup,
And then you heard your general say,
Lay down your arms, they have gained the day.

There on the banks of Cumberland
Lay the bodies of ten thousand men;
Many of them quite helplessly,
While some from wounds were doomed to die.

Oh, may the God of heaven above
Look down on all you in love,
And send you back to those you adore,
To live in peace forevermore.