The Why and the Wherefore

Where, where‚ where‚ where
Where  are you bound‚ young man?
I'm  off to the war with good men and true
And hadn't you better come along too?
I speak my mind quite freely
Now,  really

Why,  why‚ why, why
Why to the war, young man?
Did  a man ever fight for a holier cause
Than freedom and flag and equal love
Just speak your mind quite freely
Now really

Which‚  which, which, and which
And which is the flag of the free?
Oh, Washington's flag with the stripes and the stars
Will you give such name to the thing with the bars?
I speak my mind quite freely
Now, really

Who, who, who, and who
And who goes with you to the war?
Ten thousand brave lads and if they should stay here
The girls would cry shame and they'd volunteer
They speak their minds quite freely
Now, really

When, when, when, and when
And when do you mean to come back?
When rebellion is crushed and the Union restored
And freedom is safe, then, please the Lord
I speak my mind quite freely
Now, really

What, what, what, and what
And what will you gain by that?
Oh I've gained enough, whatever the cost
That freedom, the hope of the world, isn't lost
I speak my mind quite freely
Now, really