Well, Eb, it's an obscure song that was wriiten by Fred Dobbs... It was covered by an obscure band, Hearts Field...

I used to do it back in the 70's in coffee house performances...

"Way back many years ago, way back many years ago
Once upon a spring time... of 1861
The country was divided then, the country was divided then
Different ways of livin'... cross the Mason Dixon Line

Lived way back a Southern way, lived way back a Southern way
Ayoung boy and his mama and a ahome that daddy built
Two men knockin' at the door, tweo men knockin' at the door
Lookin' for a volunteer... to be a drummer boy

Chorus:

Sonny Boy wants to leave his home
Sonny Boy wants to be a man
Th keep the time of the marchin' feet
He's off to be... a drummer boy

Mama, mama, can you hear, Mama, mama, can you hear
The cannons on the distant shores
There was hope for freedom... and an end to war

He drummed so strong and traveled far
He drummed so strong and traveled far
At Richmond and at Shiloh and the fields of Gettysburg

Gun shot thundered over head, gun shot thundered over head
The horrors that a war can bring for a young boy's eyes to see

Chorus

Mama, mama, don't you cry... Mama, mama, don't you cry
Your son is sure a hero
Thank the Lord if he comes home

Chorus"

***Well, that might not be the exact words that Fred Dobbs wqrote but I think it's purdy close... That's the way I always have done it... No, it ain't a blues song... Think about a marching drum... That's the way I do it... 1-5-4 chords... Pick yer key...

Beaubear