23. the rebel in the woods.
The winter is gone and spring has come once moreThe rebels rejoice that winter is no more
For it is spring and the leaves are growing green
The rebels rejoice that they cannot be seen.
Chorus.
Then home soon they will be
Home, dearest home to this our country
Where the rose is in the bud and the blossom on the tree
And the Lark is singing home to North Missouri.
We have taken up arms in defense of our farms
And if the Federals trouble us we will surely do them harm
For we have declared that our land shall be free
But if they stay away how quiet we will be.
Chorus.
From home, home we will be, &c.
The rebels from their homes are compelled to go,
And stay in the woods where the bushes are thick and low;
For if they do go home and there attempt to stay,
The Feds will come and force them away.
Chorus.
Away, away they will be,
Away from their homes in their own country.
Away from their sweethearts they have to be,
And lay in the woods by night and by day,
And for fear of Alton penitentiary,
Still from their homes they have to be.
For if by the Feds they should captured be,
They will be carried to the penitentiary,
And there be confined in cells dark and low,
Away from his home in his own country.
But for the sake of still remaining free
They had rather sleep neath some wide spreading tree
Than to be carried to some distant shore
There to be confined till the war will be o'er.
Chorus.
Then home, home we will return
Home, dearest home, for which we did yearn, &c.
When the war is over he'll return home
The bloom of health from his cheeks will be gone
But when he is released and set at liberty
He will return to the land of the free.
Now my song is almost ended, and since it is so,
Away to the wars with all speed I must go,
With my gun in my hand, my jacket all so blue--
Farewell, my friends, I must bid you adieu.
Chorus.
Then away, away I will be,
Away from my home and away from thee.
When the war is over I will return to thee,
We will get married if we can agree,
And when we are joined in wedlock's happy band,
Then we never more will take the parting hand.
But if by you I should rejected be,
Then my happiness can never completely be,
But if my bride you do consent to be,
Then we'll live together in love and harmony.
Captain Z y K has eighteen in command
The Feds do fear him whenever he makes a stand
For they do make such a gallant charg
The Federals always thinks therr force is large.
Chorus.
Then away the Feds will be, &c.
General Guitar if a fight you do crave
Attack co. Z y K & they will send you to your grave
For their men are brave and true & all you have to do
Is to bring on your force and they will put you through.
The girls of Terrapin encourage us to fight,
They say by driving the Feds away we'll surely do right,
Come out you new militia we'd like to get a whack
We will make you run and shoot you in the back.
