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[417]
religious hope that seemed to be confined exclusively to these poor fellows.’
We are again indebted to
Glazier's account for the following:
At the close of the day the negro prisoners made a practice of getting together in the jail, and singing their plaintive melodies till late in the evening.
The character of their songs was universally mournful, and it was often affecting to listen to them,--always embodying as they did those simple childlike emotions and sentiments for which the negro is so justly celebrated.
The harmony and the rich melody of their voices are rarely surpassed. ... One song, which appeared to be a special favorite with them, was written by Sergeant Johnson, whom I have before mentioned.
He intended it as a parody on “When the cruel war is over.”
I give this song as he furnished it to me:—
I.
When I enlisted in the army,
Then I thought 't was grand,
Marching through the streets of Boston
Behind a regimental band.
When at Wagner, I was captured
Then my courage failed;
Now I'm dirty, hungry, naked,
Here in Charleston Jail.
chorus.
Weeping, sad and lonely,
Oh, how bad I feel!
Down in Charleston, South Carolina,
Praying for a good, square meal.
II.
If Jeff Davis will release me,
Oh, how glad I'll be!
When I get to Morris Island,
Then I shall be free.
Then I'll tell those conscript soldiers
How they use us here;
Giving us an old corn dodger,—
They call it prisoners' fare.
—Chorus
III.
We are longing, watching, praying,
But will not repine,
Till Jeff Davis does release us,
And send us in our lines.
Then with words of kind affection
How they'll greet us there!
Wondering how we could live so long
Upon the dodger fare.
chorus.
Then we will laugh, long and loudly.
Oh, how glad we'll feel
When we arrive on Morris Island
And eat a good, square meal!
