I don’t think I’ll go into town to see the boys come back;
My bein’ there would do no good in all that jam and pack;
There’ll be enough to welcome them—to cheer them when they come
A-marchin’ bravely to the time that’s beat upon the drum—
They’ll never miss me in the crowd—not one of ’em will care
If, when the cheers are ringin’ loud, I’m not among them there.
I went to see them march away—I hollered with the rest,
And didn’t they look fine, that day, a-marchin’ four abreast,
With my boy James up near the front, as handsome as could be,