Good evening, kind friends, how do you all do?
'Tis a very long time since I've been to see you.
I am a volunteer for the Union I go;
And I'm down on Secession, is Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow.
2. Since last I saw you, to Richmond I've been,
And during my stay Mrs. Davis, I've seen.
She treated me kindly, and smiled on me so.
Old Jeff he got jealous of Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But the ladies all like Mr. William Barlow.
3. Now the other night, while out for a lark,
I lost my way, it being quite dark.
A sentinel grabbed me, to the guardhouse I did go
Oh! That was too rough on old Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But they should not abuse old Billy Barlow.
4. Now I see on picket every time I go out,
A nice little gal her name is Lize Stout.
They say she's Secesh, But I know that's not so.
For she'll stand by the Union with Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a very good fellow is Billy Barlow.
5. Now, theres one thing I can't help but to look at
That is what keeps our Quartermaster so sleek and so fat
It may not be good living but there's one thing I know
He'd get thin on the grub he gives Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But I'm used to good living,is Billy Barlow.
6. It's down in Virginia at a place called Bull Run
Where first our brave soldiers, their fighting begun
It's true they got routed but then you all know
It was on account of the absence of Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow.
7. Just a few words more then I shall have done
And I hope what I've said you'll take all in fun
If I have not done right, why, please tell me so
And I'll bid you good night will Billy Barlow.
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But I hope you'll excuse poor old Billy Barlow.
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