He came home downcast that day
The bearer of bad news
She smiled at him as he came in,
as he stood there in his muddy shoes
He loved her so his poor heart cracked
An d telling what was told,
her smile froze, her mouth went slack
And his grief oppressed
him double fold
He said, I'm not the master of my fate
As I would wish to be
But I'm leaving now and I can't be late
They ship out tonight and they're
taking me
Our mission's still a mystery
I'm just one of many men
Who must leave their homes
and their families
And might not pass this way again
She said, I'll come with you my love
I'm not afraid nor weak
Now I will bind my breasts
and crop my hair
And I'll speak low just like a boy
would speak
But you cannot come with me, my love
For they do not take volunteers
Oh, but there's one thing
to you I'll swear
Though I may be gone for
many years
No shirt shall ever touch my skin
Nor a go through my hair
And I'll think on the bit you're in
And I wish that I were lying with you, dear
you