Cat. #0816 (MFH #77) - As sung by Mrs. Norman Engler, Lakeview, Arkansas on April 16, 1969
VERSE 1
O, th shot an' shell were screaming
Upon th battlefield
An' th boys in blue were fighting
Their noble flag to shield
Came a cry from their brave, Captain,
Look boys, th flag is down
Who'll volunteer to save it, from disgrace
I will a young voice shouted
I bring it back or die
Then sprang into th thickest of th fray
Saved th flag, but gave his young life
All for his countries sake
They brought him back an' softly heard him say
Just break th news to Mother
She knows how dear, I love her
An' tell her not to wait for me
For I'm not coming home
Just say, that there's no other
Can take th place of Mother,
An' kiss her dear sweet lips, fer me
An' break th news to her
VERSE 2
From afar a noted General
Had witnessed this brave scene,
Who saved th flag, speak up lads
That was noble, brave indeed,
There he lies, sir, said th Captain
He's sinking very fast
Now, slowly turned away, to hide a tear
Th Captain, in th moment
Knelt down beside th boy
Then gave a cry that touched all hearts that day
It's my son, my brave young hero
I thought you safe at home
Forgive me Father, but I ran away
VERSE 3
So break th news to Mother
She knows how dear, I love her
An' tell her not to wait for me
For I'm not coming home
Just say, that there's no other
Can take th place of Mother,
An' kiss her dear sweet lips, fer me
An' break th news to her
(collected by Jerry Hays)