Stonewall Jackson's Way

Stonewall Jackson's Way Found on the body of a Sergeant of the Old Stonewall Brigade, Winchester, VA.

Come, stack arms, men! pile on the rails,
Stir up the camp-fire bright;
No matter if the canteen fails,
We'll make a roaring night;
Here Shenanadoah brawls along.
There burly Blue Ridge echoes strong,
To swell the brigade's Rousing song,
Of "Stonewall Jackson's way."

We see him now! the old slouched hat
Cocked o'er his eye askew-
The shrewd, dry smile, the speech so pat,
So calm, so blunt, so true.
The "Blue Light Elder" knows o'er well
Lord, save his soul! we'll give him"-well,
That's Stonewall Jackson's way."

Silence! ground arms! kneel all! caps off!
Old Blue Light's going to pray;
Strangle the fool that dares to scoff!
Attention! 'tis his way!
Appealing from his native sod,
In forma pauperis to God
"Lay bare thine arm, stretch forth thy rod;
Amen!" That's "Stonewall's way."

He's in the saddle now! Fall in !
Steady- the whole brigade!
Hill's at the ford, cut off ! He'll win
His way out, ball and blade;
What matter if our shoes are worn!
What matter if our feet are torn
"Quick step. we're with him before dawn!"
That's "Stonewalls way."

The sun's bright lances rout the mists
Of morning, and, by George,
There's Longstreet struggling in the lists,
Hemmed in an ugly gorge
Pope and his Yankees whipped before
"Bayonet and grape! " hear Stonewall roar,
Charge Stuart! Pay off Ashby's score
In "Stonewall Jacksons way."

Ah, maiden! wait and watch and yearn
For news of Stonewalls band;
Ah, widow! read with eyes that burn
That ring upon they hand;
Ah, wife!, sew on, pray on, hope on,
Thy life shall not be all forlorn
The foe had better ne'er been born,
Than get in "Stonewall's way."