Paddy/Shiloh

We came from County Claire
Planted U.S. roots in the midlands
When the civil war bloodied America
Paddy thought he should step in

Paddy looked so young and so strong
Band and a crowd screaming loud
All spit and polish in their uniforms
I was scared but I was proud

I had a dream that very night
Woke in a sweat shook to the bone
Crows were carrying Paddy through the sky
No way he’d be coming home

Paddy wouldn’t come back from Shiloh
Paddy wouldn’t come back from Shiloh
Much as we’d pray, much as we’d hope
Paddy wouldn’ come back from Shiloh
Paddy wouldn’t come back from Shiloh

He was our youngest but he served
Joined the Army of the Ohio
Headed down to Tennessee
Some place with a church named Shiloh

News travelled slow up our way
Took time to hear of the hornet’s nest
Thousands of good souls following bugle calls
Slaughtered and laid to rest

Cannons rained death on fields of men
Clanged like funeral bells
The sunken road last stop on the line
Leading to heaven or hell

Paddy weren’t never coming back from Shiloh
Paddy weren’t never coming back from Shiloh
Near every day we looked down the road
Paddy weren’t never coming back from Shiloh
Paddy weren’t never coming back from Shiloh