Just Before The Battle Mother

Written by George F. Root

Key of G · Chords: I II IV V

Open in Bluegrass Book: transpose, play along

Verse 1

G                      C
Just before the battle mother
D7                    G
I am thinking most of you
                            C
While upon the fields we're watching
D7                G
With the enemy in view

Verse 2

                            C
Comrades brave are round me lying
D7                               G
Filled with thoughts of home and God
                               C
For well they know that on the morrow
D7                          G
Some will sleep beneath the sod

Verse 3

D7                      G
Farewell mother you may never
A7                     D7
Press me to your heart again
    G                       C
But oh you'll not forget me mother
D7                       G
If I'm numbered with the slain

Verse 4

                       C
Hark I hear the bugles sounding
D7                     G
Tis the signal for the fight
                       C
Now may God protect us mother
D7                  G
As he ever does the right

Verse 5

                       C
Hear the battle cry of freedom
D7                      G
How it swells up in the air
                          C
Yes we'll rally round the standard
D7                    G
Or we'll perish nobly there

Verse 3

D7                      G
Farewell mother you may never
A7                     D7
Press me to your heart again
    G                       C
But oh you'll not forget me mother
D7                       G
If I'm numbered with the slain
Recorded by: Marty Robbins (1995), Charlie Louvin (2010)

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