Josephine

I'm writin' this letter, my darlin, from high on a hill
We've been marchin' ten days and we're just outside Hawkinsville
It's been snowin' all night and we ain't got no more kersosene
It's colder than hell
Hope you're doin' well
Josephine

There's a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight
We done lost ol' Calvin;
Weaver won't make it through the night
I overheard the Captain say it's the worst he's ever seen
I'm losin' some weight
But I'm still standin' up straight
Josephine

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine

There's three thousand Union troops camped at the river below
And six hundred of us -
At least there was two nights ago
Will Irwin deserted and
They hung him down by the stream
Good God, I'm so scared
Keep me in your prayers
Jospehine

The order came down: we attack tonight at nightfall
If we can stop 'em right here
We can win this war, once and for all
You know, I killed a Union boy last week -
Bet he wasn't fourteen
He looked just like our son
Forgive me for what I've done
Josphine

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine

And lastly, my darling, in case I should be killed...
Don't grieve me too long
Promise me that you will
Marry another and don't let him treat our babies mean
And when he's holding you, won't you think of me too, Josephine?

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine