The Drummer Boy of Shiloh
Music/lyrics: William S. Hays
On Shiloh's dark and bloody ground,
The dead and wounded lay,
Amongst them was a drummer boy,
Who beat the drum that day.
A wounded soldier held him up,
His drum was by his side;
He clasped his hands then raised his eyes
And prayed before he died.
He clasped his hands then raised his eyes
And prayed before he died.
"Look down upon the battle field
Oh Thou, our heavenly friend !
Have mercy on our sinful souls !"
The soldiers cried "Amen !"
For gathered 'round a little group,
Each brave man knelt and cried;
They listened to the drummer boy,
Who prayed before he died,
They listened to the drummer boy,
Who prayed before he died.
"Oh, Mother", said the dying boy,
"Look down from heaven on me,
Receive me to thy fond embrace,
Oh, take me home to thee !
I've loved my country as my God;
To serve them both I've tried."
He smiled, shook hands -- death seazed the boy
Who prayed before he died,
He smiled, shook hands -- death seazed the boy
Who prayed before he died.
Each soldier wept, then, like a child --
Stout hearts were they, and brave;
The flag his winding -- sheet -- God's Book
The key unto his grave.
They wrote upon a simple board
These words; This is a guide
To those who'd mourn the drummer boy
Who prayed before he died.
To those who'd mourn the drummer boy
Who prayed before he died.
Ye angels 'round the Throne of Grace,
Look down upon the braves,
Who fought and died on Shiloh's plain,
Now slumb'ring in their graves !
How many homes made desolate ?
How many hearts have sighed ?
How many like that drummer boy
Who prayed before they died ?
How many like that drummer boy,
Who prayed before they died ?
The Battle of Shiloh (샤일로 전투):
미 남북전쟁 (The Civil War) 초기, 테네시 남서부 지역에서 충돌한
북 Grant 장군과 남 Johnston 장군 군사들의 싸움으로 미국 역사에서
많은 사상자를 낸 전투중의 하나로 기록된다. 총사상자: 2만 3746명.
이 발라드에 담긴 북치는 소년 병사의 얘기는 9살에 입대하여 실제
당시의 전투에 drummer boy로 참여한 John Clem을 모델로 한 것이라는
설도 있다 (Clem은 훗날 준장까지 진급 후 제대함).
The Drummer Boy of Shiloh - John Aler, Tenor
The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Mark Viney