Follow, Boys! Follow!

Follow, brave boys, follow! 'Tis the roll-call of the drum, And the bright steel's ringing music, With its spirit-stirring hum— 'Tis the tramp of armed columns, Brazen fronted, drawing near, And the rattle of the sabers In the scabbards, that ye hear; Follow, follow, 'tis the van, boys, So bravely leading on; Follow, follow, to a man, boys, There's glory to be won!

Follow, follow, saith the mother— Follow, follow, saith the wife— Though ye're dear as our hearts' blood, More precious, far than life; But we would not have ye linger While the hated foeman stands Beside our sacred hearth-stones, And desecrates our lands! We'll forgive the starting tear, boys, 'Tis the jewel of the heart, That ye may not blush to wear, boys, When from loved ones thus ye part.

There's not a Southern matron But in her bosom wears The iron Key of Firmness That locketh up her fears; While ye buckle on your armor, She will bid ye safe "God-speed," And bear her cross all bravely For her precious country's need! When our women have such souls, boys, Ye must never flinch or quail— While the storm of battle rolls, boys, Ne'er strike the straining sail!

Our lives are dearly purchased, When bondage is the price; And what is home, where freedom Withers 'neath the tyrant's vice? Better the earthy pillow, Better the gory bier, Where the true-hearted ever Will drop the burning tear; For think, if ye should fall, boys, Ye have not lived in vain— On the brave soldier's pall, boys, None ever put a stain!

Fling out our glorious banner Upon the golden air— Swear by its stars, Dishonor Shall leave no footprint there! That ye'll plant its broad bars firmly, As a barrier to the foe, From the blue Gulf to the Border, From the Sea to Mexico! The Southern sky's a-flame, boys, Where our stately cities burn, But, as monuments of fame, boys, Their ashes we'll in-urn!

Oh! inch by inch, repel him, The foul invading foe! Let the sharp saber tell him How despots are laid low! And history's burning pencil Will, on her golden page, Your hero name enamel An honor to the age! One blow, and we are free, boys, Strike firmly, and 'tis done! On, on, to Tennessee, boys, Oh! follow bravely on!