Sherman’s March to the Sea

Our campfire shone bright on the mountains That frowned on the river below, While we stood by our guns in the morning And eagerly watched for the foe, When a rider came out from the darkness, That hung over mountain and tree [CHORUS] And shouted “boys, up and be ready, For Sherman will march to the sea.” And shouted “boys, up and be ready, For Sherman will march to the sea.” Then cheer upon cheer, for bold Sherman, Went up from each valley and glen, And the bugles reechoed the music That came from the lips of the men; For we knew that the stars on our banner More bright in their splendor would be, [CHORUS] And that blessings from Northland would greet us When Sherman marched down to the sea. And that blessings from Northland would greet us When Sherman marched down to the sea. Then forward, boys, forward to battle We marched on our wearisome way, And we stormed the wild hills of Resacca— God bless those who fell on that day: Then Kennesaw, dark in its glory, Frowned down on the flag of the free; [CHORUS] But the East and the West bore our standards, And Sherman marched on to the sea. But the East and the West bore our standards, And Sherman marched on to the sea. Still onward we pressed, till our banner Swept out from Atlanta’s grim walls, And the blood of the patriot dampened The soil where the traitor flag falls; But we passed not to weep for the fallen, Who slept by each river and tree, [CHORUS] Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel As Sherman marched down to the sea. Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel As Sherman marched down to the sea. O, proud was our army that morning, That stood where the pine proudly towers, When Sherman said “boys, you are weary; This day fair Savannah is ours!” Then sang we a song for our chieftain, That echoed o’er river and lea, [CHORUS] And the stars in our banner shone brighter, When Sherman marched down to the sea And the stars in our banner shone brighter, When Sherman marched down to the sea