The Big Battle

I think sir the battle is over

And the young soldier laid down his gun

I'm tired of running for cover

I'm certain the battle is done

Or see over there where we fought them

It's quiet for they've all gone away

All left is the dead and the dying

The blue lying alongside the gray

So you think the battle is over

And you even lay down your gun

You carelessly rise from your cover

For you think the battle is done

Now boy hit the dirt listen to me

For I'm still the one in command

Get flat on the ground here beside me

And lay your ear hard to the sand

Can you hear the deafening rumble?

Can you feel the trembling ground?

It's not just the horses and wagons

That make such a deafening sound

For every shot fired had an echo

And every man killed wanted life

There lies your friend Jim McCany

Can you take the news to his wife

No son the battle's not over

The battle has only begun

The rest of the battle will cover

The part that has blackened the sun

The fight yet to come's not with cannon

Nor will the fight be hand to hand

No one will regroup the forces

No charge will a general command

The battle will rage in the bosom

Of mother and sweetheart and wife

Brother and sister and daughter

Will grieve for the rest of their lives

Now go ahead rise from your cover

Be thankful that God let you live

Go fight the rest of the battle

For those who gave all they could give

I see sir the battle's not over

The battle has only begun

The rest of this battle will cover

This part that has blackened the sun

For though there's no sound of the cannon

And though there's no smoke in he sky

I'm dropping the gun and the saber

And ready for the battle am I