Intro: D (4x)
D
I'm writing this letter, my darling, from high on the hill
A
We've been marching ten days and we're just outside Hopkins-ville
D D7 G
It's been snowing all night and we ain't got no more kero-sene
D A D
It's colder than hell, hope you're doin' well, Jo-sephine
D
There's a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight
A
We done lost old Calvin, Beaver won't make it through the night
D D7 G G/B
I hope I heard the captain say it's the worst he's ever seen
D A D
I'm losin' some weight but I'm still standin' up straight, Jo-sephine
G
Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
D A
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
G
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
D A D D A
I love you, I love you, I love you, Jose-phine
D
There's three thousand union troops camped at the river below
There's six hundreds of us, least there was two nights (A)ago
D D7 G
When Erwin deserted they hung him down by the tree
D A D
God I'm so scared, keep me in your prayers, Jo-sephine
D
Well, the orders come down, we'll attack tonight at nightfall
A
If we can stop 'em right here we can win this war once and for all
D D7 G
You know, I killed a union boy last week, bet he wasn't fourteen
D A D
He looked just like our son, for-give me for what I've done, Jo-sephine
G
Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
D A
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
G
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
D A D
I love you, I love you, I love you, Jose-phine
D
And lastly my darling, in case I should be killed
A
Don't breathe me too long, promise me that you will
D D7 G
Marry another, don't let him treat our babies mean
D A D
When he's holding you, would you think of me too, Jo-sephine
G
Tell my baby I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
D A
Bet they've grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
G
Tell mama and daddy I'm alright and just want one more thing
D A D G
I love you, I love you, I love you, Jose-phine
D A D
I love you, I love you, I love you, Jose-phine
Outro:(D)