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Good evening, kind friends,
How do you all do?
'Tis a very long time
since I've been to see you.
I am a volunteer
For the Union I go;
And I'm down on Secession,
Is Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow.

Since last I saw you,
To Richmond I've been,
And during my stay
Mrs. Davis, I've seen.
She treated me kindly,
And smiled on me so.
Old Jeff he got jealous
Of Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But the ladies all like Mr. William Barlow.

Now the other night,
While out for a lark,
I lost my way,
It being quite dark.
A sentinel grabbed me,
To the guardhouse I did go
Oh! That was too rough
On old Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But they should not abuse old Billy Barlow.

Now I see on picket
Every time I go out,
A nice little gal
her name is Lize Stout.
They say she's Secesh,
But I know that's not so.
For she'll stand by the Union
With Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a very good fellow is Billy Barlow.

Now, theres one thing I
Can't help but to look at
That is what keeps our Quartermaster
So sleek and so fat
It may not be good living
But there's one thing I know
He'd get thin on the grub
He gives Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But I'm used to good living,is Billy Barlow.

It's down in Virginia
At a place called Bull Run
Where first our brave soldiers,
Their fighting begun
It's true they got routed
But then you all know
It was on account of the absence
Of Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow.

Just a few words more
Then I shall have done
And I hope what I've said
You'll take all in fun
If I have not done right,
Why, please tell me so
And I'll bid you good night
Will Billy Barlow

(Chorus)
Oh! yes, I'm rough, I well know,
But I hope you'll excuse poor old Billy Barlow.