Jedidiah 1777

Jedidiah out in the snow
Walkin' the frozen trenchlines
Wet boots and his wool coat comin' apart at the seams
Rations of hard-baked dough
Handfuls of melting snow
What else can a man live on but his dreams?

Not twenty miles away
In the mansions of Philadelphia
Loyalists lay their money down on the king
We've provision enough for the day
But if victory were just for the wealthy
Our noble cause wouldn't be worth the hardship we're suffering

Send the cloth for a good waistcoat
I dream of your hearth and the fields of oat
I awake to the drum and the trembling note of the fifer
May it please God in His great mercy
To shelter our friends and our family
I remain your son most faithfully, Jedidiah

I have seen a man, who has seen a man
Who has heard the king
Tell of his intention our independence to declare
The peace will undoubtedly bring
A great revolution in commerce
May it be our rightful fortune to come in for a share

My regards to a certain Miss Moore
I've stated my honorable intentions for her
That upon my return from this necessary war she'll be my wife
May it please God in His great mercy
To restore the joys of domesticity

Salutations to the family, Jedidiah
I rejoice that the cause we're engaged in
Is in the hands of an Almighty Sovereign
Who I doubt not is accomplishing the ends of His desire

My love to you and the fair Miss Moore;
Spare me a bottle from the cellar store
And in my name let the contents pour, Jedidiah