Thanks for the help, Joe. Looks like you and me struggled in just about the same places. Part of me isn't sure even Reno & Smiley knew what the words were and just kinda mumbled along til they got back in time.

gillymor, as I have already explained, I have a legitimate scholarly interest in this song -- I can send you a link to my writings if it helps assuage your mind. This song is of particular interest to me because it is actually one of the surprisingly few bluegrass songs about the Civil War from this era which even mentions slavery, even if in a revisionist light.

That being said, if any of the moderators feel that this song is not appropriate or welcome on the forum, please feel free to take it off. I would hate for the conversations to devolve further to bickering.