Stonewall Jackson’s Way

Come, stack arms, men. Pile on the rails
Stir up the campfire bright;
No matter if the canteen fails
We'll make a roaring night
Here Shenandoah brawls along
There burly Blue Ridge echoes strong
To swell the brigade's rousing song
Of "Stonewall Jackson's way."

We see him now, the old slouched hat
Cocked o'er his eye askew
The shrewd, dry smile, the speech so pat
So calm, so blunt, so true
That "Blue-Light Elder" knows 'em well
Says he, "That's Banks; he's fond of shell
Lord save his soul! We'll give him"...well
That's "Stonewall Jackson's way."

Silence! Ground arms! Kneel all! Caps off!
Old Blue Light's going to pray;
Strangle the fool that dares to scoff;
Attention; it's his way!
Appealing from his native sod
In forma pauperis to God--
"Lay bare thine arm; stretch forth thy rod;
Amen." That's "Stonewall's way."

He's in the saddle now! Fall in!
Steady, the whole brigade!
Hill's at the ford, cut off! He'll win
His way out, ball and blade
What matter if our shoes are worn?
What matter if our feet are torn?
"Quick step--we're with him ere the dawn!"
That's "Stonewall Jackson's way."

The sun's bright glances rout the mists
Of morning, and, by George!
There's Longstreet struggling in the lists
Hemmed in an ugly gorge--
Pope and his Yankees whipped before
"Bayonet and grape!" hear Stonewall roar
"Charge, Stuart! Pay off Ashby's score
In Stonewall Jackson's way."

Ah, maiden! wait and watch and yearn
For news of Stonewall's band!
Ah, widow! read with eyes that burn
That ring upon thy hand!
Ah, wife! sew on, pray on, hope on
Thy life shall not be all forlorn
The foe had better ne'er been born
That gets in Stonewall's way