The Old Soldier Speaks.

I fought under Lee and Stonewall,
And I hated a Yankee like sin,
But gimme my uniform, sergeant,
I'm going to fight ag'in.

I took out my old gray clothes last night,
I thought of the day they was new,
And I looked at the holes in the left-hand sleeve
Where a minie ball went through.

And I heard the band play ' Dixie,' —
By God ! I heard every note, —
And I thought of Manassas and Shiloh,
And a lump came up in my throat.

And I said, ' Go back to that old oak chest,
There ain't no more service for you ;
I'm goin' to fight on the side that's right,
And I'm going to wear the blue ! '

There's jest one thought in every heart,
One word in every mouth ;
For things is all so twisted around
That there ain't no North nor South.

I never thought it would come to this;
It's strange, but I reckon it's true;
For it's jest one country and jest one flag,
And we're all a-wearin' the blue !