CAIRO

There's a place out west where the Union troops
Take toll from the rebel troops and sloops,
And if down the river a craft would go,
She must recognize a customhouse at Cairo.
Cairo, oh, Cairo,
The southrons say it's a precious go,
It stands on the river like a military crow,
To take corn contraband for Cairo.

The rolling Mississippi was a highway free,
When the people in Dixie acted honestly,
But since like plunderers they've cut up so,
They'll have to pay a floatin' tax to Cairo.
Cairo, oh, Cairo,
The southrons say it's a precious go,
That they can't send a boat for a bit of tow,
But it has to take an overhaul at Cairo.

The southern Chivalligators now do say,
To capture the place are on their way,
But if they'd take my advice, they'd never try to go,
Within telescopic range of Cairo.
Cairo, oh, Cairo,
The Union guns are mounted so,
That if once sighted at a nearby foe,
They'd make a perfect graveyard at Cairo.

Bold Prentiss holds the chief command,
And prime Jim Lee is close at hand,
They are bound by their honors to do nothing slow,
But to take a river revenue at Cairo.
Cairo, oh Cairo,
There's no givin' them the slip, you know,
And if down the river the traitors want to go,
They'll have to get their luggage checked at Cairo.

From the Civil War.
Cairo (pronounced KAY-row) is a town at the southern tip of Illinois
where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet.
@Civil @War
filename[ CAIROWAR
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