The Cyber Hymnal ‎#16993

16993. Just Before the Battle, Mother

1. Just be­fore the bat­tle, mo­ther,
I am think­ing most of you.
While up­on the field we’re watch­ing,
With the en­emy in view.
Comrades brave are round me ly­ing,
Filled with tho’ts of home and God;
For well they know that on the mor­row,
Some may sleep be­neath the sod.

Refrain

Farewell, mo­ther, you may nev­er
Press me to your heart again;
But oh, you’ll not for­get me, mo­ther,
If I’m num­bered with the slain.

2. Homes, dear mo­ther, we’re de­fend­ing,
With "Old Glo­ry" all se­cure,
While with love and zeal un­ceas­ing,
Knowing vic­t’ry will be sure.
Bravely, we are dy­ing, mother,
For the cause of home and God;
And this is ev­er our am­bi­tion,
Till we’re laid be­neath the sod.

Refrain

3. Hark! I hear the bu­gles sound­ing,
’Tis the sig­nal for the fight,
Now may God pro­tect us, mo­ther,
As He ev­er does the right,
Hear the "Bat­tle cry of Free­dom,"
How it swells up­on the air;
Oh, yes, we’ll ral­ly round the stand­ard,
Or we’ll per­ish no­bly there.

Refrain

Text Information

• First Line: Just before the battle, mother, I am thinking most of you
• Title: Just Before the Battle, Mother
• Author, stanzas 1 & 3: George F. Root (1863)
• Author, stanza 2: Robert L. Page (1919)
• Refrain First Line: Farewell, mother, you may never
• Language: English
• Source: Appeared in Shining Gems for Jesus, edited by Robert L. Page et al. (Belmont, Mississippi: R. L. Page Music, 1919), number 101

Tune Information

• Name: [Just before the battle, mother, I am thinking most of you]
• Composer: George F. Root
• Arranger: Robert L. Page
• Key: B♭ Major