There's smoke down by the river
 Hear the cannon and the [bad word] 
 I've got one thing to ask you honey
 Can [bad word] 

 You know I hate to ask so late
 But the moment's [bad word] 
 And there won't be time to change your mind
 Can [bad word] 

 [bad word] 
 Can [bad word]  to the freedom line of the Lincoln soldiers?
 Where the contraband can be a man
 With a musket on his shoulder
 I've got to stand up tall before I'm done
 Wrap these hands of mine around a gun
 And chase the taste of bondage from my tongue
 Can [bad word] 
 Can [bad word] 

 I'm takin nothin with me
 We've just got time to beat the sun
 And the boys in gray are never far away
 Can [bad word] 

 (repeat [bad word] 

 There's smoke down by the river
 Hear the cannon and the [bad word] 
 And even if I die, I've got to try
 Can [bad word] 

 (repeat [bad word] 

 Can [bad word] 
 Can [bad word]