I think, sir, the battle is over;

And the young soldier lay down his gun.

I'm tired of running for cover;

I'm certain the battle is done.

O'er sea over there where we fought them

It's quiet, for they've all gone away.

All left is the dead and the dyin',

the blue lyin' long side the grave.

So, you think the battle is over,

and you even lay down your gun.

You carelessly rise from your cover,

for you think the battle is done.

Now, boy, hit the dirt, listen to me,

for I'm still the one in command.

Get flat on the ground here beside me

and lay your ear to the sand.

Can you here the deafening rumble?

Can you feel the trembling ground?

It's just the horses and wagons

that make such deafening sound.

For ev'ry shot fired had an echo

and ev'ry man killed wanted life.

There lies your friend, Jim McKinney.

Can you take the news to his wife?

No, son, the battle's not over;

the battle has only begun.

The rest of the battle will cover

the part that has blackened the sun.

The fight yet to come's not with cannons,

nor will regroup the forces;

No charge will a gen'ral command.

The battle will rage in the bosom

of mother and sweetheart and wife.

Brother and sister and daughter

will grieve for the rest of their lives.

Now, quiet, rise from your cover.

Be thankful that God let you live,

to fight the rest of the battle

for those who gave all they could give.

I see, sir, the battle's not over;

the battle has only begun.

The rest of the battle will cover

this part that has blackened the sun.

For though there's no sound of the cannon,

and though there's no smoke in the sky,

I'm droppin' my gun and the saber,

and ready for battle am I.