Drummer Boy

Way back many years ago
Way back many years ago
Once upon a springtime of 1861

The country was divided now
The country was divided now
Different ways of living 'cross the Mason-Dixon line

Lived way down the southern way
Lived way down the southern way
A young boy and his mama
And the home that he built

There were two men knocking at the door
Two men knocking at the door
Looking round for a volunteer
To be the drummer boy

Sonny boy wants to leave his home
Sonny boy wants to be a man
Keep the time for the marching feet
He's off the be the drummer boy

Mama mama can you hear
Mama mama can you hear
Cannons on a distant shore
There was hope for freedom and an end to war

Growin' so strong in a traveling march
Growin' so strong in a traveling march
Richmond and to Shiloh
And a field of dead and brave

Buckshot thunderin' overhead
Buckshot thunderin' overhead
The horrors that a war can bring
For a young boy's eyes to see

Sonny boy done left his home
Sonny boy became a man
He kept the time for the marching feet
He lived to be the drummer boy

Mama mama don't you cry
Mama mama don't you cry
Your son is surely a hero
Thank the lord if he comes home