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 day

Writes his mother back home in Brighton

But he ain't got much to say

He's forgotten what his town looks like

The smell of death is all around

He dreams of the blue Atlantic

To once again be homeward bound

Homeward bound

Though the road was long and winding

Many snares lay in their path

But their struggle they saw as righteous

They fought with might and stuck with wrath

Chorus:

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

That didn't speak and couldn't cheer

Chorus:

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

Now the battle hymns are playing

Report of shots not far away

No prayer, no promise, no hand of God

Could save theirs 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 grey

Tell their wives that they fought bravely

As they lay them in their graves