Michelle Shocked

(Poly Gram Songs, Inc)





Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble

Soldier's joy has been a bitter pill

Though in battle a brave man I resemble

Alone I am a coward without will



Here's McGee from the great state of Missouri

To the Show-Me State Militia I belong

And to judge from the pride on the Confederate side

I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong



A rebel stand is no place for a traitor

A loveless union cannot bend us to her will

Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her

Nor demand a bounty of her generals



I took a rifle ball in my shoulder

But my entire body filled with pain

I waited with them all at the field hospital

Oh God, another shot of morphine



Soldier's joy, oh what's the point in pleasure

When it's only meant to kill the pain

Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure

Or take up arms and send me out to fight again



Shaking hands -- Was I a coward, was I brave?

Shaking hands -- I took the bitter pill

Tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save

What the bullet could not kill, the needle will