Josephine

I'm writing this letter, my darling, from high on the hill
We've been marching ten days and we're just outside Hopkinsville
It's been snowing all night and we ain't got no more kerosene
It's colder than hell, hope you're doin' well, Josephine

There's a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight
We done lost old Calvin, Beaver won't make it through the night
I hope I heard the captain say it's the worst he's ever seen
I'm losin' some weight but I'm still standin' up straight, Josephine

Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine

There's three thousand union troops camped at the river below
There's six hundreds of us, least there was two nights ago
When Erwin deserted they hung him down by the tree
God I'm so scared, keep me in your prayers, Josephine

Well the orders come down, we'll attack tonight at nightfall
If we can stop them right here we can win this war once and for all
You know, I killed a union boy last week, bet he wasn't fourteen
He looked just like our son, forgive me for what I've done, Josephine

Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine

And lastly my darling, in case I should be killed
Don't breathe me too long, promise me that you will
Marry another, don't let him treat our babies mean
When he's holding you, would you think of me too, Josephine?

Tell my babies I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine

I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine