We were camped in Missisippi, General Johnson at our head, 7 E7 We were eating hay for breakfast and we used it for our bed A 7 D A When we heard the Yankees comin' we arose with smiles of bliss 7 (F#m) E7 A For however fierce the battle was it was better far than this
A So we'll hold our glasses steady D A And singing we will go 7 And we'll tell the valiant story of E7 A the battle of Shiloh
It was on the 6th of April they were coming to attack And with all their force & bluster they were sure they'd drive us back But the yankees never reckon'd with our rebel art & skill We simply took a deep long breath and blew them off the hill.
General Hardy in the forefront led his men against the Yanks Their pickets in the center yelled "We shoulda tried the flanks" As we marched across their barracks like an army on parade, We could hear the Yankee general shoutin' "Boys it's just a raid!"
They were running in confusion when they heard the rebel yell And they left behind their muskets, and their cannon, and their shell So we picked up all the rations and we chased them off the crest But we got so tired of running that we all laid down to rest.