[Verse 1] We climbed aboard that morning With the whole town gathered round There were ribbons on our rifles There were roses on the ground We were young and bound for glory Singing like the South was blessed Singing “Dixie” through the windows And dreaming of medals on our chests [Chorus] I’m coming home, Virginia Either way, I’ll make that train I can see your Blue Ridge morning Through this smoke and blood and rain Meet me by the Shenandoah Where you kissed me long ago I’m coming home, Virginia I just won’t be coming home alone [Verse 2] We stepped out from the tree line With our colors raised on high Cemetery Ridge before us And black thunder in the sky Billy fell without a warning John went down before my eyes All the glory we’d imagined Lay there bleeding by our sides [Chorus] I’m coming home, Virginia Either way, I’ll make that train I can see your Blue Ridge morning Through this smoke and blood and rain Meet me by the Shenandoah Where you kissed me long ago I’m coming home, Virginia I just won’t be coming home alone [Bridge] The surgeon said I was lucky But his eyes told me I was not He took my leg above the knee And I couldn’t bear the loss Every wounded boy was calling For his mother, home or God And the only ones not calling Were the ones already gone [Verse 3] They dragged us through the darkness With the rain against our skin Past the wagons and the wounded Toward Virginia once again Now they’ve laid me in a railcar With the dying row on row And the wheels keep turning southward To the only home I know [Chorus] I’m coming home, Virginia Either way, I’ll make that train I can see your Blue Ridge morning Through this smoke and blood and rain Lay me by the Shenandoah Where you kissed me long ago I’m coming home, Virginia I just won’t be coming home alone [Verse 4] There’ll be mothers at the stations There’ll be flags along the line There’ll be names in faded letters Written side by side with mine And when old Dixie whistles Through her valleys we once knew I’ll be riding home with brothers Coming home to die there too [Final Chorus] Oh, I’m coming home, Virginia Either way, I’ll make that train I can see your Blue Ridge morning Through this smoke and blood and rain Lay me by the Shenandoah Where you kissed me long ago Oh, I’m coming home, Virginia I just won’t be coming home alone [Outro] I’m coming home, Virginia I just won’t be coming home alone
