Broken Hymns

Now the fog and smoke is lifting
From the fallen row on row
In 1861 they prayed for god to keep their souls
Jimmy left home in April
That was one year to the dsy
Writes his mother back home in Brighton
But he aint got much to say
He's forgotten what his town town looks like
The smell of death is all around
He dreams of a blue atlantic
To once again be homeward bound
Homeward bound
Though their road was long and winding
Many snares layed in their path
But their struggle they saw as righteous
They fought with might and struck with wrath
Now the battle hymns are playing
Report of shots not far away
No prayer, no promise, no hand of god
Could save their souls that April day
Tell their wives that they fought bravely
As they lay them in their graves
As the train pulled in the station
And the families gathered round
You could hear the first car echo with a loud triumphant sound
But the last car it was silent
They listened close but they couldn't hear
It was laden down with coffins
They didn't speak and couldn't share
Now the battle hymns are playing
Report of shots not far away
No prayer, no promise, no hand of god
Could save their souls that April day
Tell their wives that they fought bravely
As they lay them in their graves
(music refrain)
As the train pulled in the station
And the families gathered round
You could hear the first car echo with a loud triumphant sound
Now the battle hymns are playing
Report of shots not far away
No prayer, no promise, no hand of god
Could save their souls that April day
Now the battle hymns are playing
Report of shots not far away
No prayer, no promise, no hand of god
Could save the souls of the blue and gray
Tell their wives that they fought bravely
As they lay them in their graves