When The Master Calls the Roll

[Verse 1]
Girl with hair of flaming red
Seeking perfect lover
For to lie down on her feather bed
Soft secrets to uncover

[Verse 2]
Must be gentle, must be strong
With disposition sunny
Just as faithful as the day is long
And careful with his money

[Verse 3]
And so the open letter read
The news boy did deliver
Three months later plans were made to wed
Down by the King James river

[Chorus]
Lo, the season may come
Lo, the season may go
What love has joined together
Will forever be made whole
When the master calls the roll

[Verse 4]
Oh my darling, will you lead?
Take me to the altar
I don't have strength to watch you as you leave
But my love will never falter

[Verse 5]
Oh my darling Mary Anne
The march to war is calling
Somewhere far across these southern lands
The bands of brothers falling

[Verse 6]
My tender bride, the tides demand
That I leave you with your mother
With my father's rifle in one hand
Your locket in the other

[Chorus]
Lo, the season may come
Lo, the season may go
Beware, the storm clouds gather
Take heed, dear mortal soul
When the master calls the roll

[Verse 7]
But can this union be preserved?
The soldier boy was crying
"I will never travel back to her
But not for lack of trying"

[Verse 8]
It's a love of one true hearted lass
That made the boy a hero
But a rifle ball and a cannon blast
Cut him down to zero

[Verse 9]
Oh Virginia, whence I came
I'll see you when I'm younger
And I'll know you by your hills again
This time from six feet under

[Chorus]
Lo, the season may come
Lo, the season may go
One man is torn asunder
Will someday be made whole
When the master calls the roll

[Chorus]
Though the storm clouds gather
Let the union be made whole
When the master calls the roll