just before the battle , mother – traditional song
chords by jon malmin – ( jogusmal@telia . com )

another civil war song . . . the chords are the same for each verse and chorus .

A D
just before the battle , mother ,
E A
i Am thinking most of you ,
A D
while upon the field we’re watching
E A
with the enemy in view .
A D
comrades brave are ’round me lying ,
E E7
filled with thoughts of home and god
A D
for well they know that on the morrow ,
E A
some will sleep beneath the sod .

chorus :
A D
farewell , mother , you may never
E E7
press me to your heart again ,
A D
but , oh , you’ll not forget me , mother ,
E A
if i’m numbered with the slain .

oh , i long to see you , mother ,
and the loving ones at home ,
but i’ll never leave our banner ,
till in honor i can come .
tell the traitors all around you
that their cruel words we know ,
in every battle kill our soldiers
by the help they give the foe .

chorus :
farewell , mother , you may never
press me to your heart again ,
but , oh , you’ll not forget me , mother ,
if i’m numbered with the slain .

hark! i hear the bugles sounding ,
’tis the signal for the fight ,
now , may god protect us , mother ,
as he ever does the right .
hear the “battle – cry of freedom , ”
how it swells upon the air ,
oh , yes , we’ll rally ’round the standard ,
or we’ll perish nobly there .

chorus :
farewell , mother , you may never
press me to your heart again ,
but , oh , you’ll not forget me , mother ,
if i’m numbered with the slain .

A : D : E : E7 :
x – 0 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 0 x – x – 0 – 2 – 3 – 2 0 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 0 – 0 0 – 2 – 0 – 1 – 0 – 0