My true love is a soldier in the army now today
It was the cruel war that made him have to go away
The “draft” it was that took him, and it was a “heavy blow”
It took him for a conscript but he didn’t want to go
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
He tried to be exempted, a red head was his plea,
It was the same as being lame, in hollow tones said he.
The surgeon “couldn’t see it”. He said it was “no go”
But many say he might have passed, a greenback did he show.
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
He’s gone to be a soldier, with a knapsack on his back
A fightin’ for the Union and a livin’ on “hardtack”
Oh how he looked like Christian, in the Pilgrim’s Progress shown,
With a bundle on his shoulders, but with nothin’ of his own.
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
Oh should he meet a rebel, a-pointin’ with his gun,
I hope he may have courage to “take care of number one”
If I were him I’d offer the fellow but a dram,
For what’s the use of dying, just for Jeff or Abraham
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
Indeed to be a soldier, It is so very hard
For when a fellow has his fun, they poke him on the guard
One day he shot a rooster, The Captain thought it wrong
And so to punish him they made him Picket all night long.
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
I haven’t got a lover now, I haven't got a beaux
They took him as a raw recruit, but mustered him I know
He’s nothing but a private, and not for war inclined
Although a hard old nut to crack, a Colonel you might find.
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
My true love is a soldier, upon the battleground
And if he ever should be lost, I hope he may be found
If he should fall a fightin’ upon the battle plain
I hope some other chap may come and pick him up again.
He’s gone – He’s gone – As meek as any lamb
They took him, yes, they took him to the Arms of Abraham
