Verses #2 and #3 are standard gospel stanzas. They don't relate to the interesting Verse #1 that gives the song its title.

From my first hearing years ago, and from the timing of the Crockett Ward recording, just a decade after the war, I have been pretty sure the 1st verse had a WWI context.

"Deadheads and suckers, how can you live,
When good men are , dying every day?"

Don't you think this seems obviously a slam on 1. deserters? Or 2. men who ducked out of, or didn't sign up for combat?

Bob