[Verse 1]
All my glorious dreams of battle
And my uniform of gray
Now are ruined as my blood spills
On this rock hard Georgia clay
Sixteen summers I have seen pa**
But to suffer in this sun
I declare, I don't remember
I've ever felt a hotter one
[Chorus]
Take this message to my mother
Thirteen miles from Birmingham
Tell her I was a good soldier
And I died a brave young man
[Verse 2]
We have fought through heat and hunger
Sleepless nights and bitter frost
But if Sherman takes Atlanta
Then our cause is surely lost
Sir, I have no boots to give you
Mine wore through sometime in May
But you can take my gun and powder
I won't be needing them today
[Chorus]
Take this message to my mother
Thirteen miles from Birmingham
Tell her I was a good soldier
And I died a brave young man
[Verse 3]
In my pocket there's a bible
With a lock of hair inside
From my sweet Amanda Walker
Who would make a lovely bride
Oh the angels now are coming
For my final breath is near
Yes, for me this war is over
But my eyes will show no fear
[Chorus]
Take this message to my mother
Thirteen miles from Birmingham
Tell her I was a good soldier
And I died a brave young man