Battle Ballads

g. Fond mother with arms so strong, For foes been looking long, For foes been looking wrong. Looking abroad for them? Thy foe 's within. Thy foe is slavery, Gotten of knavery, 'T will take all thy bravery To put it down. List to the dreadful din, Hoarse cannon thundering; Learn that thy foe 's within, Stand not there wondering. A new flag is flying, The old flag is lying Trailed in the dust, While brave men are dying, Who had it in trust. Hark to the thundering gun, Right here in 'sixty-one At Sumpter's wall. Still it keeps rumbling, While Sumpter keeps tumbling : "Tis a battle, that's all. QuickI to thy nation haste I There 's now no time to waste I Call out thy sonsI Already they're arming, They 're leaving their farming And taking their guns; Fathers and cousins, Brothers and sons. Look at the host of them; Heax the proud boast of them; Coining from most of them, Not to return Till Rebellion is ended, The Union defended, The North and South Wended, Then to return 1 Infantry, cavalry, Flying artillery; Best blood of chivalry; Drums beating reveille I The trumpet is sounding. The hills are resounding, The war-horse is bounding, Over the plain I To battle they're rushing, Their pale cheeks are flushing, Their blood 'gins to burn, From the field whence they're rushing Will they ever return ? Like corn from the crushing, All broken return? Heart's blood set a-gushing Can neve...