The Battle Of Antietam

'Twas on the field of Antietam
Where many's the soldier fell
Is where occurred the story
Which now to you I'll tell
The dead lay all around me
We all together lay
For we had had a fearful fight
Upon the field that day

And as I lay there musing
Upon the damp cold ground
My knapsack for a pillow
My blankets wrapped around
And as I lay there musing
I heard a bitter cry
It was "Lord Jesus, save me
And take me home to die"

I was the eldest brother
Just three years ago
I left my home and kindred
For the state of Ohio
Not finding any other work
To which I might apply
I bound myself apprentice
My fortune for to try

I did not like my master
He did not use me well
So I fixed a resolution
Not long with him to dwell
And with this resolution
From him I ran away
I started then for New Orleans
And cursed be the day

'Twas there I was conscripted
And sent into the field
Not having any other hope
But I must die or yield
And so with many another boy
I marched away that night
And this has been the tenth time
That I have been in fight

I thought a boy who shot me
Had a familiar face
But in the battle's fury
'Twas difficult to trace
I thought it was my brother Jay
If him I could but see
I'd kiss him and forgive him
And lay me down and die

I quickly ran unto him
And heard his story o'er
It was my long-lost brother Jay
Weltering in his gore;
As I spoke of our loved ones left
And soothed his fevered brow
He whispered "My dear brother
I can die happy now"

Then quickly as a slumbering babe
His fluttering eyelids closed
I saw him sink with shortening breath
To death's long last repose
And with many a tear and sad farewell
I dug a narrow grave
And there he sleeps beneath the sod
By Antietam's rippling wave