The Band of Brothers: MP3s/Lyrics

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

Note from Michael: The genesis of this song sprang from my research into the experiences of my ancestor Daniel Scanlon during the American Civil War. While reading through his pension records, I realized that this man had survived years of warfare, only to be struck cruelly by a disease that killed him upon his arrival home in Canandaigua, NY. Although "Willie the Tanner" is a fictional character, all other details are accurate to Daniel's experience. May his soul rest in peace.

Walkin’ home from Virginia - Walkin’ home from the Fight.

I’ve seen my fill of killin’ - Now it’s my turn to die.

Now, I was just a farmer, tillin’ someone else’s soil.

40 years poor and my back was sore - when the recruiter came to town.

He said, "Come on boys, put your plow down - and sign your mark right here.

I’ll give you a suit of new blue - you’ll be a brave volunteer."

And now I'm... walkin’ home from Virginia - Walkin’ home from the Fight.

I’ve seen my fill of killin’ - Now it’s my turn to die.

My name is Danny Scanlon - I signed with Company K,

Under Colonel Dutton of the 98th Infantry.

We took seige at Yorktown - and then to Bottom’s Bridge.

That’s where we lost Willie the Tanner and buried him in a ditch.

And now I'm... walkin’ home from Virginia - Walkin’ home from the Fight.

I’ve seen my fill of killin’ - Now it’s my turn to die.

Battle followed battle - I fought ‘em one-by-one.

We filled Virginia full of smoke and fire - from Fair Oaks to Richmond.

And ev’ry morning when I woke up - I drank my coffee down.

I prayed to God that Johnny Reb wouldn’t be in the next town.

And now I'm... walkin’ home from Virginia - Walkin’ home from the Fight.

I’ve seen my fill of killin’ - Now it’s my turn to die.

The bullets never found me - nor the cannon blast.

‘Though all around my friends went down to the ground to breathe their last.

No, that was not to be my doom - not to prove my fate,

For I was to catch the coughing disease and walk home to my grave.

And now I'm... walkin’ home from Virginia - Walkin’ home from the Fight.

I’ve seen my fill of killin’ - Now it’s my turn to die.