Just Before the Battle, Mother - Traditional song
Chords by Jon Malmin - (jogusmal@telia.com)

Another Civil War song... The chords are the same for each verse and chorus.

A                        D
Just before the battle, mother,
E                      A
I am thinking most of you,
A                            D
While upon the field we're watching
E                 A
With the enemy in view.
A                             D
Comrades brave are 'round me lying,
E                                      E7                            
Filled with thoughts of home and God
A                               D
For well they know that on the morrow,
E                            A
Some will sleep beneath the sod.

CHORUS:
A                          D
Farewell, mother, you may never
E                             E7
Press me to your heart again,
     A                          D
But, oh, you'll not forget me, mother,
E                         A
If I'm numbered with the slain.

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.

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.

Hark! 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.

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.

A:           D:           E:           E7: 
x-0-2-2-2-0  x-x-0-2-3-2  0-2-2-1-0-0  0-2-0-1-0-0