From this day on I own my father's gun 
We dug his shallow grave beneath the sun 
I laid his broken body down below the southern land 
It wouldn't do to bury him where any Yankee stands 
 
I'll take my horse and I'll ride the northern plain 
To wear the color of the greys and join the fight again 
I'll not rest until I know the cause is fought and won 
From this day on until I die I'll wear my father's gun 
 
I'd like to know where the riverboat sails tonight 
To New Orleans well that's just fine alright 
`Cause there's fighting there and the company needs men 
So slip us a rope and sail on round the bend 
 
As soon as this is over we'll go home 
To plant the seeds of justice in our bones 
To watch the children growing and see the women sewing 
There'll be laughter when the bells of freedom ring