The Female Volunteer I

Attention pay, you lend an ear to what I am going to say,
It’s of a fearless maiden fair, of spirit light and gay,
Who volunteered her service, most strange now to behold,
And fought in the Union Army like a gallant soldier bold.

She enlisted in the service as you may plainly see,
Unknown to her kind parents, a soldier there to be,
Beneath the Starry banner to the battle did repair,
With courage rare she fought most brave, this Female Volunteer.

At the battle of the Wilderness, where cannons loud did roar,
And many a gallant hero there lay weltering in his gore,
Regardless of these fearful scenes, her courage did display,
And braved the tide of danger in the midst of wild dismay.

One day as she was marching, as you shall quickly hear,
A private in the army at her countenance did stare,
In secret conversation to the Colonel did reveal,
That young Henry is a female, the truth I’ll not conceal.

Early the next morning, just by the break of day,
This maiden, she was sent for without no more delay,
The Colonel viewed her features, he smiled and thus did say,
A false-hearted young man, fair maid, did you betray.

She stood amazed, right on she gazed, to the Colonel did reply,
I am a bold undaunted maid, the truth I’ll never deny,
My life I braved for my Country’s sake, until the present day,
So farewell each loyal comrade for now I must away.

Far down the annals of our land, recorded be her name,
Let her heroic deeds inserted be in the history of fame,
Who was never seen in battle-field to yield or flinch away,
So let each loyal patriot now a tribute to her pay.