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