Bright sunny south de Alison Krause & Union Station

From the bright sunny south to the war, i was sent,
e'er the days of my boyhood, i scarcely had spent.
from it's cool shady forests and deep flowing streams,
ever fond in my mem'ry and sweet in my dreams.
Oh, my dear little sister, i still see her tears.
when i had to leave home in our tender years.
and my sweet gentle mother, so dear to my heart,
it grieved me sincerely when we had to part.
Said my kind-hearted father as he took my hand:
"as you go in defence of our dear native land,
"son, be brave but show mercy whenever you can.
"our hearts will be with you, 'til you 'turn ;
In my bag there's a bible to show me the way,
through my twelfth year on earth and to heaven some day.
i will shoulder my musket and brandish my sword,
in defence of this land and the word of the lord.