Soldier's Joy 1864

First I thought a snake had got me
It happened lightning quick
But it was a bullet bit my leg
And right off I got sick
Came to in a wagon load
Of ten more wounded men
Nine was dead by the time
We reached that bloody ten
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy
You know what I mean
I don't want to hurt no more
My leg is turning green
Well the doctor come and he looked at me
And this is what he said
He said "Your dancing days are done son
It's a good thing you ain't dead"
Then he went to work with a carving knife
Sweat fell from his brow
'Bout killed me trying to save my life
When he cut that lead ball out
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy
You know what I like
Bear down on that fiddle boy
Just like Saturday night
Well the red blood run right through my veins
It run all over the floor
Dripping down his apron strings
Like a river out the door
He handed me a bottle and said
"Son drink deep as you can"
Turned away then he turned right back
With a hacksaw in his hand
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy
Ain't you got no more
Hand me down my walking cane
I ain't cut out for war
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy
You know what I crave
I'll be a hittin' that Soldier's Joy
'Til I'm in my grave