1864 Civil War handwritten song lyrics to “Just Before the Battle”

$115.00 CAD

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Lyrics written on piece of paper by Harriet Vanvoorhis June 6th 1864.  Genealogy records show a Harriet Van Voorhis born 1842 in Osnaburg, Stark, Ohio. Ohio fought on the Union side.

(Just before the battle)
1st Just before the battle mother
I am thinking most of you
While upon the field we’re watching
With the enemy in view
Comrades brave are round me lying
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow
Some would sleep beneath the sod
 
(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
 
2nd 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
 
3rd 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
 
June 6th 1864
Harriet Vanvoorhis

 

Many horizontal folds, one vertical fold. Small holes on intersection of couple folds. Some toning, especially at bottom. Small losses of paper.

11 ⅜” x 4 ½”