Three Days in July

I was born in Pennsylvania

In 1851

I grew up on my father's farm, the youngest of three sons

The Civil War was raging the year that I turned 12

My father joined the ranks of blue, left us by ourselves

Boys I tell you true, I learned things I never knew

In summer heat, we prayed for rain the first day of July

The far of thunder rumbling, no storm clouds in the sky

My brothers grabbed their rifles, said to my mother first

Mamma that's the sounds of cannon up by Gettysburg

Boys I tell you true, I learned things I never knew

Two fearful days and sleepless nights

We waited with no word

Till the guns fell silent the morning of the third

My mother watched the road all day and kept me there close by

Till dusk was hard upon us and the water jug was dry

With bucket and a lantern, I crossed the field alone

Heard the sound of snapping twigs and then a quiet moan

Captured in my lantern light, his face in ashen grey

Huddled in a bloody coat a rebel soldier lay

Boys I tell you true, I learned things I never knew

"I see you have a kind face

Please don't raise a cry

If I'm taken prisoner

I know I'll surely die"

"I'm wounded And I mean no harm

I just need to rest a spell

I have fled the battlefield

I've seen the face of hell"

"We came by tens of thousands

The battle for to lose

We only marched on Gettysburg

Because we needed shoes"

I looked down at his swollen feet

And tried to understand

And wondered if my brothers

Had died at this man's hands

Boys I tell you true, I learned things I never knew

I walked back in the cabin

Set the bucket down

I spoke no word to mother

Of why I'd been so long

All night we sat beside the fire

Praying for good news

Then mother, she looked down and asked

"Son, where are your shoes?"

Boys I tell you true, I learned things I never knew