Mary Danced With Soldiers

She'd slip away each day with the dimming light
And with the sweetest smile she'd kiss the child goodnight
At the mill she worked her fingers 'til they were raw
For the sake of her son and the daddy he never saw
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill
To keep away the chill
It was a rebel boy who brought her joy they say
Though the years had passed the memory stood fast each day
Before a bullet crushed the life of their romance
He gave her a shawl and a parasol from France
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill
To keep away the chill
They came around to the tavern in town that night
And with silent pride Mary never tried to fight
They cut her hair and left her body torn
Her spirit slipped away before the dawn
Mary danced with soldiers
But now her body's still
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill
To keep away the chill