On Shiloh's dark and bloody ground,
The dead and wounded lay;
Amongst them was a drummer boy,
Who beat the drum that day.
A wounded soldier held him up
His drum was by his side;
He clasp'd his hands, then rais'd his eyes,
And prayed before he died.
He clasp'd his hands, then rais'd his eyes,
And prayed before he died.

"Look down upon the battle field,
Oh, Thou our Heavenly Friend!
Have mercy on our sinful souls!"
The soldiers cried "Amen!"
For gathered 'round a little group,
Each brave man knelt and cried;
They listened to the drummer boy,
Who prayed before he died,
They listened to the drummer boy,
Who prayed before he died.

"Oh, Mother," said the dying boy,
"Look down from heaven on me,
Receive me to thy fond embrace-
Oh, take me home to thee.
I've loved my country as my God;
To serve them both I've tried,"
He smiled, shook hands - death seized the boy
Who prayed before he died.
He smiled, shook hands - death seized the boy
Who prayed before he died.