In the bright sunny south, in peace and content
These days of my boyhood I scarcely have spent
From the deep flowing spring, to the broad flowing stream
Ever dear to my memory, the sweeter is my dream
I lay my confinement and comfort of life
The dangers of warfare, provision and strife
I have come to come close and reply with my word
As I shoulder my musket, and belted my sword
My father looked sad as he bid me to part
My mother embraced me with anguish of heart
My beautiful sister looked pale in her woe
As she hugged me and blessed me and told me to go
Dear father, dear father, for me do not weep
I’m a lonesome man and I mean for to keep
The dangers of war, I intend for to share
And for sickness and death, I intend to prepare
Dear mother, dear mother, for me do not weep
For a mother's kind voice I always will keep
You have taught me be brave from a boy to a man
And I’m going in defense of your own native land
Dear sister, dear sister, I’m afeared of your woe
Your grief and your sorrow, they trouble me so
I must be going, for here I cannot stand
I’m going in defense of her own native land