Drummer Boy Songtext
von Heartsfield

Way back many years ago
Way back many years ago
Once upon the springtime of 1861
The country was divided now
The country was divided now
Different ways of living
Crossed the Mason-Dixon line
Lived way down the southern way
Lived way down the southern way

A young boy and his mama
In a home that he built
There were two men knocking at the door
Two men knocking at the door
Looking ′round for a volunteer
To be the drummer boy

Sonny boy wants to leave his home
Sonny boy wants to be a man
Keep the time for the marching feet
Who sought to be the drummer boy


Mama, mama, can you hear?
Mama, mama, can you hear?
Cannons on the distant shore
There was hope for freedom and the man who can't afford

Drums so strong and he traveled far
Drums so strong and he traveled far
Richmond and at Shiloh
And the field of Gettysburg
Gunshot thundered overhead
Gunshot thundered overhead
The horrors that a war can bring
For a young boy′s eyes to see

Sonny boy done left his home
Sonny boy became a man
Kept the time for the marching feet
Lived to be the drummer boy

Mama, mama, don't you cry
Mama, mama, don't you cry
Your son is sure a hero
Thank the Lord if he comes home