Luther Lane

Buried in a field of crosses the ghost of an American son

Seventeen at Vicksburg when he heard the thunder of the guns

and his friends were all there with him when they laid him

beneath the frost the preacher said

The brotherhood of battle is always greater than the cause

Nightmare of blastin' light ashes in the wind

I couldn't find him to say good-bye he was my only friend

All the kinfolk met the train that carried Luther Lane

I had a few in his name I got good and drunk for Luther Lane

Six white horses pulled the carriage

the band played Nearer My God to Thee

And all the children were starin', Luther, at the missin' part of me

I got an all a sudden taste for whiskey as I was cold and it was gettin'

late

I know I shouldn't a done it but I nicked a buck off the collection

plate

Gendarme he grabbed my arm and dragged me off to jail

I'm sittin' here, one-legged, Luther

I know you woulda posted bail.

All the kinfolk met the train that carried Luther Lane

I had a few in his name

You sure did make it tough for Job and me, my Lord

Two bodies fell as one casualty of war

I shoulda gone down under the ground with all the corps

When you've survived enough it's not enough for some

Lord I know

All the kinfolk met the train that carried Luther Lane

I had a few in his name I got good and drunk for old Luther Lane

For old Luther Lane

For old Luther Lane

For old Luther Lane