Battle of Antietam Creek

Was on the field of Antietam

Where many the soldier fell

It's 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 blanket 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.

Finding any other work

To which I might apply

I fell myself apprentice

My fortune 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.

It was then 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 the 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 'oer

It was my long last brother

Who lay weltering in his gore;

As I spoke of our loved ones left behind

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 scooped a narrow grave

And there he sleeps beneath the sod

By Antietam's rippling waves.