I'm going to join the army I'm going to volunteer I'm going to be a soldier Before another year I'm going to Pensacola To tarry awhile Far from you, my darling More than a hundred miles O, hear the cannon roaring See the bullets fly Hear the drum a-beating To drown the soldier's cry O, stay at home, dear Johnny Make me your wife If you go to Pensacola They'll surely take your life They'll put you in the center There you'll be slain It'll burst my heart asunder
To never see you again Let me go with you, Johnny I'll travel at your side When the war is over Then I will be your bride No stay at home, dear Nancy Lead a single life If I do come back again I'll make you my wife They marched him through the country Marched him into town He marched to Pensacola And there they shot him down I'm weary of the fighting Weary of the war Farewell, my Johnny I'll never see you no more